Dr. Karen Umemoto, the current director of the Asian American Studies Center at UCLA, talks about her influential work in the fields of race relations and restorative justice, as well as how ethnic studies programs help foster more empathy in students and citizens. (Intro: 2019 Recap)

Chef Jenny Dorsey dives into how she uses her culinary art to explore complex emotions related to her Asian-American experience, the lessons she learned in both business and culinary school, and how she uses VR to create immersive culinary pop-up events. (Intro: A Fundamental Decision)

Jenny Ly and Bree Lee share how a parody video idea based on pop hit "7 Rings" and Asian Creative Network built a viral Internet hit. As a follow up, they have just released a new video, "Don't Call It Asian", calling out food vendors who culturally appropriate Asian cuisine to make profit. (Intro: Life Is Like A Three Act Show). 

NPR personality, author, performer, and professor Sandra Tsing Loh reveals the inspiration behind her comedic holiday play "Sugar Plum Fairy". Throughout the episode, she gives a candid look into her life story and how it contributed to her unique voice in storytelling and media today. (Intro: The Real Prize)

Writer Marie Myung-Ok Lee stops by to expand on the ideas in her recent Los Angeles Times Op-Ed Piece "Andrew Yang seems invisible to the mainstream media - just like most Asian Americans", the current presidential candidate race, and her upcoming new novel, The Evening Hero. (Intro: Invisible)

Zeda Zhang decided to pursue a career as an MMA fighter and wrestler after her experiences with bullying, sexual harassment, and gender stereotypes. Her grit and determination to prove her naysayers wrong contributed to her success as the first female Asian-American wrester for the WWE and Asia. (Intro: Play Fighting)

Sue Kim Bonifazio is one third of The Kim Sisters, a trio of Korean musicians who went from performing songs for GIs in the Korean War to appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show a record 22 times. You might even say they were the first "K-Pop" group to break into the US! (Intro: Beneath The Surface)

BD Wong stops by to promote “The Great Leap”, a play by Lauren Yee that he has performed in twice and is now directing at The Pasadena Playhouse. Later, the conversation turns to his most recent acting performances in “Mr. Robot” and the upcoming “Awkwafina is Nora from Queens”. (Intro: A New Family Member)

Comedian Margaret Cho and Ken talk about the chance encounter they had at an airport. Margaret delves into her experience growing up in the Korean American church, fighting against beauty standards set by the media, and her successful careers in comedy, acting, and music. (Intro: Welcoming Them Home)

Fourth generation Japanese American and former politician Warren Furutani shares his life story. He discusses the difference between empowerment and power and his predictions for the final four candidates of the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary. (Intro: Aubergine)

Designer and community leader Steve Yamaguma talks about the upcoming Silicon Valley Asian Pacific FilmFest and his role as co-chair. He also shares his experiences with the Asian American movement on college campuses and in the music scene around the San Jose area during the 1970's. (Intro: I Was Expecting You)

Actor and dancer Anu Bhatt discusses her new autobiographical play HOLLOW/WAVE. Anu shares how she found empowerment through the correct pronunciation of her name, the challenges she faced while in school for acting, and bringing difficult topics in the South Asian community to the forefront. (Intro: Rat Trap)

In this special episode, Ken bids goodbye to Chris as co-producer of the Asian America podcast and welcomes new co-producer Alison Chang. Alison discusses the unusual path she took to pursuing her passions, her spiritual journey, and how she got involved with the podcast. (Intro: Lost Package)

Actor Tzi Ma talks about how THE FAREWELL went from indie movie darling to internationally distributed hit. Tzi discusses his support for Asian-American independent film projects, his role in upcoming Disney live-action film MULAN, and the importance of promoting diverse stories. (Intro: Learning to Coexist)

Actor Albert Tsai talks about his starring role in the new hit animated film ABOMINABLE. Albert discusses how he first got into acting, what it’s like to ad-lib during voiceover sessions, and why authenticity in casting and culture were so important in the making of ABOMINABLE. (Intro: Healing)

Author and physician Dr. Russell Low shares about his new book “Three Coins: A Young Girl’s Story of Kidnappings, Slavery, and Romance in 19th Century America”. Russell discusses the decades-long search for Ah Ying (the courageous heroine of his story), and why it’s so important to know where and whom we’ve come from. (Intro: Primary Wound)

Actor Tim Lounibos shares about his life in film and television. Tim discusses his crazy childhood filled with tragedy and drama, his early success in Hollywood, and how his mid-career departure from the industry gave him even more gravitas, depth, and life experience for his roles now. (Intro: Not My Pic)

Actor Amy Shu shares about her starring role in the play THE CHINESE LADY. Amy talks about the amazing story of Afong Moy (the first female Chinese immigrant to America), how this play reveals the true meaning of liberty, and the thrilling vulnerability of performing live. (Intro: RIP Dylan)

Duncan Ryuken Williams talks about his book American Sutra: A Story of Faith and Freedom in the Second World War. Duncan discusses his 17-year journey to write this book, being simultaneously Buddhist and American, and Japanese American relocation and resettlement. (Intro: Opposite)

Actor Kurt Kanazawa shares about his life on stage and screen. Kurt discusses the freedom of non-racial casting, his burgeoning career as a professional opera singer in Europe, and the devastation when a doctor told him he might never sing again. (Intro: Secret Asian Agents)

Aaron Takahashi shares about his career on-screen, most notably as a commercial actor. Aaron discusses how he booked his first big national commercial, why he turns down roles that call for Asian accents, and his portrayal of the “everyman”. (Intro: No Control)

English professor King-Kok Cheung (UCLA) talks about Asian American literature, and how it should be respected and valued as more than just ethnography. She discusses how Asian Americans so often reach for “white” standards, and why good writing is so powerful. (Intro: The Legend of Velda)

Businessman Al Lowe spent his life breaking through racial barriers. Journalist Larry Wilson talks about how Al led the integration of his community’s segregated schools, and changed the culture of the formerly all-white Tournament of Roses committee. (Intro: Plus One)

Concert promoter and Producer Gerald Ishibashi shares about his life in music. Gerald discusses his early choice for a guitar instead of a motorcycle, putting on live concerts for corporate America, and having three daughters in the entertainment industry. (Intro: Dylan)

Artist Ariel Chan shares about her work in comics and animation. Ariel talks about her upcoming graphic novel “Yuwen’s Journey”, how nothing is truly original anymore except for one’s artistic voice, and learning to trust God with her dreams. (Intro: Yellow Belly)