Author and minister Mihee Kim-Kort talks about her book “Outside the Lines”, and embracing her own queerness. Mihee discusses how queerness is “magic”, how it made her marriage complicated and rich, and why the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman inspires her. (Intro: Get In!)
Blogger Iris Chen shares about “Untigering” and what it has meant for her children’s schooling, character, and faith. Iris discusses the harmful cycle of spanking and yelling, why she ditched math curriculum, and a “stripped-down” version of church. (Intro: Mentor)
Writer and filmmaker Renee Marchol shares about her fight against terrible treatment from church leadership, including sexual harassment, false accusations, and patriarchal control. Renee discusses “success porn”, true vulnerability, and unsmashable optimism. (Intro: Jeff Adachi)
Mark Nagata talks about his passion for art and classic Japanese character toys. Mark discusses the process of bringing an original Kaiju creation to life, the tension between being both a toymaker and an artist, and his 2019 exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum. (Intro: Can’t Stop Smiling)
Dr. Jenn Fang talks about her blog (Reappropriate.co) and her passion for mobilizing the AAPI community. Jenn discusses the great compatibility between her scientific studies and spiritual searchings, why the Asian American electorate needs to wake up, and the new curated essay series “Write Back, Fight Back”. (Intro: Messy Faith)
Writer Virginia Duan shares about her blog “Mandarin Mama”. She discusses why she forces her kids to learn Chinese, being honest with her children about sex and politics, and how therapy helped her get past fear and anger. (Intro: Screen Addict)
Actor Michele Selene Ang talks about her on-screen and theatrical career. She discusses how the producers of 13 REASONS WHY prepared the cast to deal with the topic of suicide, why diverse writers help to create a diverse show, and the true story behind the play MAN OF GOD. (Intro: Coons Win)
Actor Roy Vongtama talks about his career, new book, and role in the play “Man of God”. Roy discusses how he balances his life as both actor and medical doctor, why he refuses to accept established dogma, and how one’s inner reality has a profound effect on the outer reality. (Intro: Flood)
Journalist Scott Tong shares about his book “A Village with My Name: A Family History of China’s Opening to the World”. Scott discusses the remarkable stories of his ancestors, the baby-selling scandal that may have involved Scott’s adopted daughter, and “islands of modernity” in China’s past. (Intro: Resolved)
Joel John Roberts shares his solution to homelessness and his role as CEO of PATH (People Assisting the Homeless). Joel discusses his own life story as an abandoned infant in Hong Kong, how the faith community needs to speak out prophetically, and why the next generation has to step up. (Intro: Roses on Fire)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)