First of All

202 - Shedding the BS & Transforming (Whether We Like It Or Not)

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0800

2025 was...a year. For some it was the most fulfilling and expansive year of their lives. For others, it was a time of reckoning and what can only be described as unhinged agony leaving us shivering in fetal position on the bathroom floor. Or a lovely mix of both. Whatever was in the stars or cards or maybe the compromised pH of our local tap water, 2025 appears to have produced some significant change. In this solo episode, Minji dives into some of her own epiphanies, triumphs, losses, and overwhelming waves of anxious despair - all in hopes to provide some commiseration, clarity, and grounded intention as we head into another year of guaranteed change and evolution.

*Disclaimer: This episode was recorded before the horrific murder of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Our hearts go out to her family, and the entire community locally and globally that mourns continued unjust actions of our current administration. We hope the justice is served swiftly and ask everyone to hold strong in standing up against corrupt and illegal abuse of power.

Follow Minji On:

Subscribe to Minji's new meditation & voice note YouTube!

OK Breathe - YouTube

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Coming to the Roundabout Theatre Company this winter, Chinese Republicans is a biting new satirical drama from Alex Lin, directed by Chay Yew, following three high-powered businesswomen who meet for lunch every month to discuss their latest career triumphs, as they’ve done for decades. But the group is jolted when Katie, a bright-eyed 24-year-old new to the workforce, joins to navigate the world of corporate finance. As each of the women attempts to steer Katie towards what they’re certain is best, they’re forced to grapple with how much they already have and are willing to sacrifice to climb the corporate ladder.

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#201 - Taking Back the Narrative & Unmasking the Fetish with Kaila Yu

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:30:00 -0800

In this episode, Minji sits down with a woman who impacted her life from a very early age, model and singer turned author Kaila Yu. A cultural icon during the Azn Pride days of import cars, Nautica jackets, and tricked out html web pages, Kaila made an undeniable mark on the blossoming Asian American identity as one of the hottest Asian "it" girls. Throughout her young career and private life, she'd endure some of the most heart-breaking and challenging experiences while pursuing a career in entertainment and validation from a confusing and toxic world.

In one of First Of All's final episodes, Minji and Kaila dive into Kaila's new memoir Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty. In it she unpacks her deeply insightful perspectives on power, desire, and the violent grip of the patriarchy. They talk about the narcissistic unraveling happening in real time, how harmful sexualization traps us, and what it means to reclaim our bodies, our stories, and our agency. Together they also reminisce on their formative years, celebrating girlhood while also reflecting on family dynamics, mass marketing, and cultural trends that shaped their sense of self. This episode reminds us that vulnerability is resistance. Prepare for a conversation that's as intellectually sharp as it is soul-expanding as we take back a narrative to be rewritten by us.

Follow Our Guest Kaila Yu:

Instagram (@kailayu)

Order Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty

Follow Minji On:

Subscribe to Minji's new meditation & voice note YouTube!

OK Breathe - YouTube

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#200 - Into the Unknown & Doing the Work with Ada Tseng (Journalist & Author)

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0800

What does it take to make a dream, reality? Any goal, any vision can be daunting when you're at the very beginning. Uneducated, inexperienced, overwhelmed...it's hard to identify or even decide what's the best place to start. And even when you do decide, getting the ball rolling and finally taking the proverbial leap is its own major feat. In one of the final conversations here on First Of All, Minji sits down with her friend, journalist Ada Tseng, to discuss the rigors of making it in in the entertainment biz as Ada prepares to release her first book, Breaking Into New Hollywood. After years of interviewing and investigating the less glamorous parts of the industry, Ada finally shares priceless insights on exactly how it takes a talented, persistent, crafty, and determined village to make magic exist on-screen...or really anywhere. And rather poetically, they reflect on Ada's pivotal role in encouraging Minji to start this very podcast 8 years ago, when AAPI podcasts and/or culture podcasts hosted by women of color were scarce and the road was unpaved and unknown. As Minji heads off into unknown territory once again as a filmmaker, actor, and content creator it's truly a full circle moment. One that hopefully inspires all the dreamers out there to keep taking risks and have fun learning as they do the work to bring their dreams into reality.

Follow Our Guest Ada Tseng:

Instagram (@adatseng88)

Order Breaking Into the New Hollywood

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#199 - Following Your North Star with Director Andrew Ahn

Fri, 30 May 2025 06:00:00 -0800

We show up to work, to relationships, to passion projects and hobbies in various phases of our lives and do the best we can, never knowing if and how we may be changing the world around us. For director Andrew Ahn, he's never endeavored to change minds or hearts doing what he loves most (and is also really good at), which is telling funny, vulnerable, heartwarming stories through film. He simply identifies his creative north star(s), focuses on who he's doing it all for, and does his best to share something honest and relatable. In doing so, he's made a tremendous cultural impact, and his flourishing directing career - from his early works Dol and Spa Night to Driveways, Fire Island, Shonda's Bridgerton and now the heartwarming and hilarious modern remake of Ang Lee's The Wedding Banquet - are a direct result of that. In this episode, Minji sits down with her dear friend to recall the origins of his journey as well as the new challenges of maintaining authenticity in the midst of a demanding industry and diverse audience. They talk about how to be honest with yourself, and how real life lessons unfold within and parallel to the work.

Follow Our Guest Andrew Ahn:

Instagram (@andrewahnfilms)

Watch The Wedding Banquet

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#198 - How To Be Dateable with Julie Krafchick & Yue Xu (Dateable Podcast)

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0800

Love is a many splendored thing. Also...is love in the room with us right now when it comes to modern dating? When it comes to finding a special someone who can respond to texts in a timely manner, follow through or even initiate plans ahead of time, have basic manners, practice decent hygiene, maintain healthy boundaries with exes, ask a thoughtful question or two, be nice to your friends, & remember your birthday, amongst many other seemingly basic things... it can all feel, well, friggin impossible these days. In this episode, Minji sits down with returning guests and dating experts Julie Krafchick and Yue Xu to investigate the agony and joy of finding/receiving/manifesting love in an era that's fraught with burnout and disillusionment. How are we all actually doing? What are the blind spots to address and healthier ways to approach this journey? Is it worth it? Julie and Yue share insights that have been deeply researched and assembled beautifully in their new book How To Be Dateable, with some very personal reflections from our hosts. Let's all hold hands, take a cleansing breath, and get focused (and a little vulnerable) with this thing called love. Happy Valentine's Day, FOA fam. <3

Follow Our Guests Julie Krafchick & Yue Xu:

Instagram (@dateablepodcast)

Get the How To Be Dateable book NOW at:

https://www.dateablepodcast.com/book

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#197 - Crashing Out, Holding Space & Locking In (solo)

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0800

What a year January 2025 has been. WHAT. A. YEAR. If you're one of the many humans trying calmly (or desperately) to navigate the new normal in (yet again) unprecedented times... you are so not alone. Not by any means. In this episode, Minji unloads her heart and mind on the state of the world, and the good ol' U S of A more specifically. She acknowledges that these challenging times are not for the faint of heart, and that one way or another we all must decide to step up the plate with courage, clarity, empathy and fight.

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

196 - Making Your Voice Count with Nancy Yap (Exec Director of CAUSE)

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 23:59:00 -0800

We're nearing the finish line for one of the most highly anticipated, highly stressful, highly impactful elections of our lifetimes. While we'd all felt we'd been through the worst of it in 2016 and then again in 2020, the unprecedented times have continued on...and on...and on. In the midst of all the division and angst, extremely important conversations have emerged - many that fortunately and unfortunately won't go away after this coming Tuesday passes. We have tough questions to answer, like how much of a difference we can/do actually make, what's working well and depressingly broken in the systems around us, who can we trust, and what can we do about feeling so hopeless nowadays (just to rattle off a few)? In this episode, Minji sits down to get grounded and educated by Nancy Yap, the hardworking and dedicated executive director of CAUSE, a 501(c)(3) with a mission to advance the civic and political empowerment of the API community. Nancy comes from a very humble background of little to no political interest, and now dedicates her career to advancing civic engagement, persisting vocally in her stance that we CAN and ARE making a difference. How??? Together they discuss the implications of actually showing up, the importance of community, the psychological wear and tear of our current culture, and ways to keep our eyes on what matter most in leadership, accountability, and real actual CHANGE.

For those of you on the fence or simply worn out, this is for you. This is also for those warriors who haven't given up and just need a refuel in this final stretch of a critical moment in history. Stay the course & everyone MAKE SURE TO VOTE ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 5TH!!

Follow Our Guest Nancy Yap at:

Instagram (@causeusa)

Follow Minji On:

Instagram (@minjeezy)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#195 - Overcoming Obstacles & Achieving the Impossible with Danny O'Malley & Alex Rivest

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 12:15:00 -0800

Climate change is a topic that brings up existential dread in so many of us, it can overwhelm us, fill us with dread, and/or incite anger and feelings of hopelessness. It feels like an impossible problem to solve. In this episode, Minji sits down with filmmakers Danny O'Malley and Alex Rivest, co-directors of the film Canary, a look into the life of a real life superhero - glacier and climate scientist Lonnie Thompson. Lonnie has spent the past several decades of his life venturing into some of the scariest, coldest, most remote parts of our earth to gather data that has educated the world's science community on the existence and acceleration of climate change. While politics and societal chaos have taken over the facts and solutions available to leaders, there is still power within the hands of humankind ourselves. Together they unpack the journey to make the film itself and a recognition of Lonnie's legacy as a reminder that the most impossible feats are achievable with persistence, determination, luck, and faith.

Follow Our Guests Danny O'Malley and Alex Rivest:

Instagram (@dannyomalley.film)

Instagram (@rivest)

CANARY (film link) - Minji will sponsor the first 20 people to watch Canary; send proof of your rental to firstofallpod@gmail.com

Follow Minji On:

Instagram (@minjeezy)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#194 - Navigating Mean Girls & Complex Female Relationships with Priska

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:30:00 -0800

Female relationships can be insanely fulfilling...and also complicated... and sometimes downright traumatic. At some point or another, many of us humans have encountered one (or many) a mean girl. In this episode, Minji sits down with returning guest Priska - singer/songwriter and one half of the Two Horny Goats Podcast - to unpack the trials, tribulations, and lessons from dealing with layered female relationships, including friends, frenemies, bullies, family members, and more. The conversation is kicked off by the controversy surrounding Blake Lively and the questionable marketing and events surrounding the film "It Ends With Us". They dive deep into some difficult personal experiences and the impact its had as they figure out how to develop healthier relationships with themselves and other women.

Trigger warning: discussions around DV abuse

Resources for those experiencing and/or recovering from DV mentioned in the closing of this episode:

No More: NO MORE is a groundbreaking, global initiative comprised of the largest coalition of nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, media, schools, and individuals addressing domestic and sexual violence. Visit their website at: www.nomore.org.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline: A 24/7 confidential service that provides support, resources, and information for those experiencing domestic violence. You can reach them at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit their website at www.thehotline.org.
Futures Without Violence: An organization dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence. They provide resources for both survivors and those looking to support the cause. Learn more at www.futureswithoutviolence.org.

Follow Our Guest Priscilla Liang-Kim aka Priska:

Instagram (@priskamusik)

twohornygoats.com

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "How Will I Know" cover by Priska

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#193 - Milestones & A Call To Action (Solo) - Happy 7th Birthday FOA!

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0800

We’re back baby! In this solo episode, our tired but determined host Minji returns to breathe some life back into First Of All and back into herself. Celebrating another trip around the sun for both podcast and host, this milestone brings in new reflections on aging, filmmaking, friendship, authenticity & (of course) the chaotic state of the world. This one goes out to everyone holding onto hope with everything we’ve got.

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#192 - Reviewing & Saying Goodbye to 2023

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 08:30:00 -0800

Hey FOA fam! It's been a hot minute but Minji comes back to close out an insane year of ups and downs, and some big wins and losses. Did anyone else live their best and worst year ever at the same exact time??? In a moment of exhausted reflection and hopeful encouragement, Minji sends you all a ginormous hug in her "wearing a giant hoodie (with the hoodie yanked 90% closed of course) on a comfy couch with a giant mug of tea" energy. Thank you and adios 2023.

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

Introducing Dear Alana, a new show from Tenderfoot TV

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 07:00:00 -0800

Hi First of All listeners! While we wait for the next season of the podcast, we wanted to share something cool with you all. Please enjoy the first episode of the new hit podcast, Dear Alana, from our partners at Tenderfoot TV.

Dear Alana, is a show exploring the life of Alana Chen, a 24-year-old woman who disappeared from Boulder, Colorado in 2019. Alana left behind two dozen journals chronicling a deep faith, love of fashion, and dream of becoming a nun. She also harbored a secret. At 14, she confessed to her priest that she was attracted to women and was instructed not to tell her parents. Over the next seven years, Alana covertly received conversion therapy which her family believes played a role in her fate.

----

Part 1: Mom

Simon travels to Boulder to meet Alana’s mother, Joyce, and becomes determined to help her understand what happened to Alana.

This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Listener discretion is advised.

Go deeper at https://dearalana.com/

Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ for ad-free listening and an exclusive binge at tenderfootplus.com.

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#191 - Trusting the Process with Ben Chung (Kinjaz, Jabbwockeez)

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0800

Asking for a friend - does anyone else feeling like just giving up and becoming a potato lately? Because same. In this episode, Minji closes out SEASON 4 and celebrates a beautiful milestone for 6 YEARS OF First Of All Podcast by processing her most recent super fun existential crisis with her dear friend am, the amazing dancer, entrepreneur, and soulful spirit Ben Chung. With the Hollywood strikes, rapid AI development, climate change doom, plus oodles of personal ups & downs, Minji finds herself a bit worn out (again). Ben shares his signature good vibes and deep philosophies that he's cultivated through his prolific creative work and faith. We're blessed with some crazy inspiring stories from Ben's journey of America's Dance Crew and thoughts on how to navigate a rapidly changing world. They chop it up about change, rejection, and practicing how to be present with profound gratitude in the most uncertain of times. Yes, even in this economy.

Follow Our Guest Ben Chung:

Instagram (@btek_benchung)

Twitter (@btek_benchung)

kinjaz.com

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "Close to the Edge" by Fulton Lee

▫️ NEW!!: Subscribe to First Of All on YouTube & check out our S4 episodes on video!

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer Da Eun Kim @daeunkm

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#190 - From Overthinking to DOING - We FINALLY made a short film! - with Scott Sayasithsena

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0800

There are few things more satisfying than taking an idea and turning it into a reality. Some call that manifesting (ahem, like Minji) and some call it just taking simple actions to achieve a goal. Potato, po-tah-to. Whatever you call it, there's SO much that gets in the way, all the imposter syndrome (bleh), the self-sabotage (ugh), the literal years of procrastinating (yeesh), legit life/time/money challenges, and so on and so forth. In this episode, Minji celebrates the creation of her first COMPLETED short film "HONESTLY" that she wrote and starred in with the film's director and her beloved homie Scott Sayasithsena. Together they share what they can about their tiny film project sans spoilers - the idea, the genesis of the collab, the internal hurdles, the logistical nightmares, and the incredible reception they received premiering the short at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in May 2023 alongside some stellar filmmakers. It's one tiny gigantic step that might've taken a long *** time to take, but it's 100% worth commemorating to remind us every path is unique, be kind to yourself, and to keep on keeping on.

Follow Our Guest Scott Sayasithsena:

Instagram (@scottsayasithsena)

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap"

▫️ NEW!!: Subscribe to First Of All on YouTube & check out our S4 episodes on video!

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer Da Eun Kim @daeunkm

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#189 - Making Sacrifices, Pivoting, & Persisting w/ Trus Real

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0800

In the very wise words of our goddess Aaliyah (RIP) - If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again. In theory (and in lyrics/beats that slap thanks to the GOAT Timbaland), it's amazing. In practice, it's pretty freakin' hard. To chase dreams, to pursue life goals, to endeavor the seemingly impossible...in this day and age...in this economy...let's be real, it's easier to just stay in bed and not even try at all. But for better or worse, we push on. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend and talented rapper Trus Real to talk about his eye-opening journey pursuing, and giving up, a career in music. From playing a little too much to then hustling hard and giving rapping his all to basically giving up everything only to be brought back to it in the most unexpected of ways...as a TikTok creator making "news that rhyme", the path has been tough. Trus and Minji explore the many convoluted ways they've actualized a life that's fulfilling and (hopefully) pays all the bills. They talk about making hard choices, giving up control, taking radical responsibility, and getting scrappy with their creativity to live more authentically and wisely.

Follow Our Guest Trus Real:

Instagram (@trus_real)

patreon.com/trusreal

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & “Slow Down” by Trus Real

▫️ NEW!!: Subscribe to First Of All on YouTube & check out our S4 episodes on video!

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer Da Eun Kim @daeunkm

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#188: Solo Episode: Messing Up, Apologizing, Forgiving...& Thriving

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0800

In this solo episode, Minji shares a personal story about unintentionally being a total a-hole, letting down one of her best friends, spiraling, prolonging the awkwardness (as one does), making it worse, freaking out a bit more, and then finally taking steps to make it right again. As universal and commonplace as these mistakes and rifts can be, there's a lot going on underneath it all - self-sabotaging, people-pleasing, being a teeny bit narcissistic/lazy/careless, and/or going into overwhelm trying to keep all our plates spinning at once and just sucking at it. These pain points and blips can lead to larger, more lasting patterns in lives as they pile up unaddressed. Maybe it's time we forget "time heals all wounds", and realize healing heals all wounds. So how can we start addressing that big nasty pile, one thing at a time, to clean house and get right within ourselves? Minji shares her thoughts (and strategies!) after releasing a TON of emotional baggage that has led to some pretty amazing changes in her life.

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap"

▫️ NEW!!: Subscribe to First Of All on YouTube & check out our S4 episodes on video!

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer Da Eun Kim @daeunkm

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#187 - Demanding & Exploring Better Sex Education with Anne Hodder-Shipp

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0800

Let's talk about sex! Because despite our global society's obsession with it, we're still frighteningly undereducated about it. While more conversations and information on sexuality are shared much more openly due to social media content and online resources, longstanding attitudes and deeply rooted cultural beliefs can take a lot longer for a person to become open to learn. Some of us have been trained to fear sex, some have been shamed to explore their curiosity, some have been traumatized, and some have been convinced there's nothing important for them to know about themselves or anyone else, and some have just had no access to learning, period. So yeah.. we're still unpacking A LOT. In this episode, Minji sits down with Anne Hodder-Shipp, an award-winning certified sex and relationship educator dedicated to providing accurate, expansive, and compassionate care. Together they talk about their very different upbringings and how everything from school, religion, parents, and communities influenced their understanding of sex from the biological to moral and intimacy facets. Anne shares some of the common misinformation that's creating barriers to having a healthy relationship within ourselves, and of course with others. Pleasure, boundaries, consent, mechanics - we are still just getting started in normalizing these conversations. Hopefully this one will be another to encourage more compassion, respect, curiosity and openness to get smart about what's going on inside our minds and others.

Follow Our Guest Anne Hodder-Shipp:

Instagram (@theannehodder)

https://annehoddershipp.com/

https://everyonedeservessexed.com/

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & “Red Ferrari” by Samica

▫️ NEW!!: Subscribe to First Of All on YouTube & check out our S4 episodes on video!

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer Da Eun Kim @daeunkm

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#186 - Stepping into Main Character Energy w/Priska

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0800

As Minji has created this space and inadvertently shared a lot about herself over the course of First Of All's 180+ episodes, she's changed quite a bit. Grown on a good day, unraveled on a bad one. And one thing that she has intentionally confronted in 2023 is to not only make space for others but how take it up herself. In this episode we get a little one-on-one friendship time with Two Horny Goats co-host and beloved soul sister Priska Liang-Kim to find out more about our FOA host as she's in the "guest" hot seat on her own show for the very first time.

Follow Our Guest Priska:

Instagram (@priskamusik)

twohornygoats.com

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & “High Risk Travel (Priska & Aberbeats cover)” by Priska

▫️ NEW!!: Subscribe to First Of All on YouTube & check out our S4 episodes on video!

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer Da Eun Kim @daeunkm

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#185 - F*ck Up, Make Mistakes & Be Messy with Adele Lim (Director of Joy Ride)

Tue, 30 May 2023 06:00:00 -0800

A lot of good can come out of striving for excellence - a high standard of quality, valuable skillsets and smarts, plus amazingly positive contributions to self and society. It can also have a dark side in the form of all-consuming and suffocating perfectionism - an existence where there's no room for error or subpar...well, anything. Every flaw, every "mistake" is irreparable or at the very least, a lasting source of guilt and shame. So many people are familiar with this kind of pressure, and some of the MOST familiar with this insane demand are Asian/Asian American women. In this episode, Minji sits down with Adele Lim, Malaysian American film and tv producer and writer, who is now the new director of the upcoming (and very raunchy) Asian American female-led comedy Joy Ride. Together they dive into Adele's upbringing in Malaysia through her journey in Tinseltown, struggling to defend facets of herself, and other women like her, that weren't always welcomed or valued in her home, community, or industry. They blow off steam on how oppressive and straight up boring it is to be perfect all day everyday. They also reinforce how giving ourselves permission to be human beings who do occasionally make mistakes and imperfect, loud, opinionated, sloppy, unruly, questionable choices is liberating AF, mentally healthy, and...OK. We can love ourselves at our best and our worst!

Follow Our Guest Adele Lim:

Instagram (@adeleblim)

Twitter (@adeleblim)

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & “omg” by Gloria Kim

▫️ NEW!!: Subscribe to First Of All on YouTube & check out our S4 episodes on video!

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer Da Eun Kim @daeunkm

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

From #PotluckPod Modern Minorities - Gabrielle Berbey's (revealing) The Experiment

Fri, 26 May 2023 07:00:00 -0800

For APAHM, we're highlighting some of our fellow Asian American podcasts from the Potluck Podcast Collective, so we're dropping in an episode from our sister show, Modern Minorities, a podcast featuring minority voices for ALL of our majority ears - Modern Minorities is trying to solve racism...one conversation at a time. Their co-hosts Sharon and Raman might be Asian American pals, but their guests go much wider to the entire American experience. You can learn more at modmypod.com, and subscribe wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

---

“Filipinos love spam — but wherever you look in American history, I found how little I knew.”

Gabrielle Berbey is a documentary audio producer and filmmaker who's done work with the Atlantic and WNYC / NPR. She's actually one of the hosts of the critically acclaimed podcast “The Experiment” by the Atlantic. Gabby recently released a three-part mini series talking about SPAM - beyond her personal Filipino family experience - going beyond the immigrant experience to American labor, the changing middle class, and the next generation of immigrant Americans. You’ll love this candid conversation about how Gabby’s mixed ethnic experience infom her curiosity as a journalist.

LEARN ABOUT GABBY

MENTIONS

BOOK: The Latinos of Asia: How Filipino Americans Break the Rules of Race (Anthony Christian Ocampo) - goodreads.com/book/show/28162897-the-latinos-of-asia
TV: PENN15 (Hulu) -imdb.com/title/tt8324422/
PERSON: Hanna Errant - wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannah_Arendt

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#184- Seize the Day with Chef Viet Pham (Iron Chef)

Tue, 23 May 2023 05:00:00 -0800

You know how they say live your life to the fullest and every day as if it's your last? And you know how most of us think "Oh that's nice, I should do that. I will do that."...and then, even with the BEST of intentions, we just don't? (No judgment here, it's a super normal part of life.) Let's face it, it's so easy to stay in autopilot - chasing goals, maybe taking some important relationships for granted, & doing the most even if it's not particularly (or at all) fulfilling. In this episode, Minji sits down with highly decorated chef Viet Pham, whose resume as a chef is one that blows your mind - high end restauranteur, Iron Chef winner, defeating Bobby Flay (twice, mmkay), competing on tv shows, creating an incredible chicken sandwich that's quickly taking over Utah. And of course not to mention an amazingly beautiful and loving wife. But like all those with pretty highlight reels, Viet has gone through a LOT personally to experience this fulfilling life, and has overcome a LOT even in the midst of it. In this very personal conversation, Viet opens about facing health scares including a rare cancer that has further expanded his daily approach to life, love, and work. He shares the fears and attitude shifts he's faced as he is afforded new perspectives and a commitment to health and well-being.

Follow Our Guest Viet Pham:

Instagram (@chefvietpham)

prettybirdchicken.com

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & “I’ll Be There” by Nina Sung

▫️ NEW!!: Subscribe to First Of All on YouTube & check out our S4 episodes on video!

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer Da Eun Kim (@daeunkm)

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#183 - Owning The Narrative & Telling Your Story with Author Emily Inouye Huey

Tue, 16 May 2023 05:00:00 -0800

Far too many times in life, our narratives get told by others. Sometimes, being a passive passenger in the journey can feel the safest and most comfortable...until you realize the consequences of not speaking up on your or your community's behalf. Like misinformation, isolation, erasure, and even the exploitation of narratives to serve another's agenda. We're all becoming much more keenly aware of how this has been playing out for real all around us, and many of us are wondering how to approach it. In this episode, Minji sits down with Emily Inouye Huey, author of the moving YA novel "Beneath the Wide Silk Sky" - story about a Japanese American teenager named Sam who is navigating her young life in the wake of Pearl Harbor during WWII. Together they talk about Emily's personal process as a writer and as a Japanese American person unpacking very real family history that she's digesting. They go into the ups and downs of learning, embracing, and finding courage to share stories that mean so much, and how these stories can be vital contributions to culture, politics, and our own personal growth. Emily shares her thoughts on the recent book bans spreading across America, and what's at stake if we don't stand up for truth, accessibility and education.

Timestamps:

00:00-10:15 - Introduction to episode & Emily featuring Uzuhan's "Uzutrap"

10:15-52:42 - Part 1 of conversation with Emily

52:42-54:42 - Break

54:42-1:17:00 - Part 2 of conversation with Emily

1:17:00-1:22:57 - Outro featuring Melissa Polinar's "Another Universe"

Follow Our Guest Emily Inouye Huey:

https://www.instagram.com/emily_inouye_huey/

https://emilyhuey.com/

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & "Another Universe" by Melissa Polinar

▫️ NEW!!: Subscribe to First Of All on YouTube & check out our S4 episodes on video!

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer @DaEunKim

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#182 - Stop Seeking Outside Validation with Gina Darling

Tue, 09 May 2023 05:00:00 -0800

We’re back FOA fam!! So glad to be back on the airwaves, kicking off season 4 with a vulnerable and honest conversation with the beautiful and badass queen of the Internet herself- Gina Darling. In this episode, Minji gets to fangirl a bit and also get some insight into how Gina has navigated one helluva life path with her family, unorthodox education, and unconventional career pursuits on her own terms. Brought up in an intensely strict and conservative Vietnamese home, Gina grew up trying to find out who she is apart from all the crazy expectations that so many of us face - how to act, how to dress, what to value, and what is “true” about our personalities and capabilities. Together Minji and Gina break down how their respective circumstances and choices shaped a constant need for external validation, and how they have finally begun to break the cycle in recent years.

Follow Our Guest Gina Darling:

https://www.instagram.com/missginadarling/

Follow Minji On:

Instagram (@minjeezy)
Instagram (@firstofallpod)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & "devils & angels" by Flannel Albert

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer @DaEunKim

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#181 - FOA Bonus Episode: Holiday Check-In!

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0800

Ahhh the holidays.. a time to reflect and prepare the next vision board, and maybe a family tiff or deep introspective existential moment to round it out. Whatever your plans are for the holidays, whether you’re seeing all your loved ones or asserting your boundaries and sitting on top of a mountain solo, Minji stops by to say hi and wish you well as we close out another crazy year. She also shares some fun FOA updates and reflections on 2022 to end the year with some gratitude, acceptance & LETTING GO. THANK YOU FOA fam for an amazing year. Cheers to a joyful, prosperous, healthy 2023!!

Don't forget to subscribe First of All's new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@firstofallpodcast

Follow Minji On:

Instagram (@minjeezy)
Instagram (@firstofallpod)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & "Gimme The Word" by Uzuhan

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer @AnnaSun

(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#180 - Healing & Falling In Love With Yourself with Anna Akana

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 12:00:00 -0800

The healing process, the inner work, the letting go, the consciousness, the forgiveness, it's all undeniably helpful...aaand let's be real, it also takes a lot outta you too. To close out FOA Season 3, we thought - who better to talk through all the ups and downs of battling ego, addressing inner child wounds and trauma, and conquering crippling emotional faceplants with deep insight and flair than our guest, actor and writer Anna Akana. Minji and Anna run the gamut of some of the ways their ongoing inner work has taken a lot of life-changing W O R K and has had massive payoff too. They share some vulnerable and embarrassing moments that had them face to face with their biggest insecurities and how they practice mindfulness to address harmful and problematic behaviors with some grace and even humor. They discuss the underrated benefits of being a little delusional and how to become their own friend/parent/cheerleader as they practice affirming and falling in love with themselves. CW: this episode includes discussion of mental health and suicide.

Follow Our Guest Anna Akana:

https://www.instagram.com/annaakana

Follow Minji On:

Instagram (@minjeezy)
Instagram (@firstofallpod)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & "Gimme The Word" by Uzuhan

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Producer @AnnaSun

(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#179 - Red Flags In Dating Pt. 1 with Dia Frampton

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 12:00:00 -0800

Dating can be super fun, exploratory, and adventure-filled with charming people you can connect with...when it's not a dumpster fire of poor communication, confusing mixed signals, bad manners, and weird vibes from strangers we'd rather forget. All in a day in the life of the modern single human being, right? Well a silver lining to our over-connected world of the Interwebs, we have all these platforms to vent, commiserate & educate each other on how to identify and deal with some of the more undesirable parts. Like what is just an unattractive trait vs a glaring neon sign saying RUN as fast as you possibly can? This episode, Minji brings back singer-songwriter and actor Dia Frampton to spill the tea on some of the red flags they've experienced in dating. With Dia's just recently entering the world of dating apps and Minji's multiple years of experience, they share the warning signs they've picked up on online and IRL. There might even be a role play conversation on confronting an awkward dealbreaker. Disclaimer, as there are SO many flags to identify and talk through, consider this a part 1 chat of many to come!!!

Follow Our Guest Dia Frampton:
https://www.instagram.com/diaframpton/
https://www.instagram.com/meganddiamusic/
http://www.diamusic.net/

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "Home To Me" by Simone Cardoso
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh
Producer @AnnaSun
(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#178 - A Conversation On Asian Racism & Intraracial Prejudice with Sami Jayne

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:00:00 -0800

Racism is a very complicated topic to broach. It can intimidate, trigger, and overwhelm so many so easily because of how pervasive and personal it gets, on top of how exhausted so many feel. Sometimes it feels like we've made some tiny headway towards a baseline respect, maybe even a bit of progress towards equity. Sometimes it feels like we've regressed or have come to a complete standstill. Meanwhile, the nuance of who gets put under the social microscope has evolved and includes more communities than ever before. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend Sami Jayne to get as real as possible about racism within the Asian American/Asian diaspora. Together they discuss their own painful experiences between different Asian ethnicities, discovering the different roots of their prejudice, understanding intergenerational trauma from war and colonization, colorism, racial purity, and where they care to move the conversation. They also share their thoughts on how representation, especially in their shared world of entertainment and media, plays out to different levels of success and what work they believe is yet to be done.

Follow Our Guest Sami Jayne:
https://www.instagram.com/The.Sami.Jayne/

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “A Thousand Cuts" by Ruby Ibarra feat. Ann One
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh
Producer @AnnaSun
(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#177 - Mental Health Breaks & Being OK Not Being OK Update!

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 12:00:00 -0800

Minji returns to the FOA airwaves after an extended mental health and recharge break after one exhausting summer. A big update with reflections on making her first short film, learning to be proud of herself, unraveling with the overturning of Roe v Wade, and other impactful moments. She gets into the power of sharing stories, facing our unique fears, and taking time to get centered when everything, everywhere, all at once is just... a bit too much.

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Gud Luh" bye Isa
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh
Producer @AnnaSun
(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#176 - Learning How To Protect Yourself & Lawyer Up with Chuong Bui

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 12:00:00 -0800

No one likes a lawsuit. Lawyers are commonly vilified for exorbitant billable hours and sharklike tendencies. For many people, any situation involving legal counsel is one to run away from and avoid at all costs. And yet at some point, many folks do require legal help to navigate a complicated system of rules and power plays. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend and actual legal counselor, Chuong Bui, who is a seasoned entertainment attorney and the co-founder of Counsel 4 Creators - a platform and subscription service to accommodate independent artists in their artistic journey. Together they dive into Minji's former deathly fear of legal matters, and a couple of the various incidents that made her analysis paralysis (mostly) a thing of the past. They also discuss Chuong's journey with becoming and practicing, as an attorney who helps out artists create great works of art and makes every "doctor or lawyer" comment from a parent suddenly doesn't seem so bad after all. They analyze the different barriers between need folks who can afford to get good help and the ones who do their best trying to get by on shoestring income but often need help the most. If you have ever been intimidated or overwhelmed thinking about lawyering up, this one's for you.

Follow Our Guest Chuong Bui:
https://counselforcreators.com/
https://www.instagram.com/counselforcreators/
https://www.instagram.com/who_is_bui/

Follow Minji On:

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh
Producer @AnnaSun
(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#175 - Unpacking Celebrity & Influencer Culture with Kevyn Fong (Level4Alpha) & Priska (Two Horny Goats Podcast)

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 12:00:00 -0800

From the days of Marilyn to The Beatles to Michael Jackson, Kim K & Logan Paul, it's safe to say that celebrity culture has evolved and transformed in its way into becoming an everyday part of our modern life. Now celebrity status includes "everyday" content creators or influencers who make funny skits from their respective glass rectangles, or even say.. podcast hosts. (Btw, we're self-aware here at FOA to know we are not celebrity status but do influence in our own way to our beloved brilliant audience, thank you love you) In this episode, Minji brings two of her dearest friends and fellow content creators Kevyn Fong (TikTok/IG's level4alpha) and Priska (singer/songwriter/co-host of Two Horny Goats Podcast) to dive into how our collective obsession/resentment/addiction/admiration/disgust with celebrities and influencers exists nowadays and how they attempt to navigate it all. Coming from a variety of backgrounds working in the entertainment industry from being talent and being behind the scenes watching how the sausage is made (and maybe making some themselves), they share their various insights on the fun and danger of it all. One example they dive into is the slap heard around the world by Will Smith at the Oscars, which they happened to be together to witness at the same time with very different reactions. Come tune in to hear them break it all down, wonder about our future, take responsibility for their relationships with the culture itself, and tips on how to maintain self-awareness and a healthy mental hygiene.

Follow Our Guest Kevyn Fong:
https://www.instagram.com/level4alpha/
https://www.tiktok.com/@level4alpha
https://www.youtube.com/c/level4alpha

Follow Our Guest Priscilla Liang-Kim aka Priska:
http://www.priskamusik.com/
https://www.instagram.com/priskamusik/
https://www.instagram.com/twohornygoats/

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “80HD Screens” by Solomon Wook
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh
Producer @AnnaSun
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#174 - Home Ownership & Real Estate For Newbies with Ken Er

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 12:00:00 -0800

So how about those home loan interest rates, eh? And...mortgages! Escrow? Closing costs. Contingencies. Bidding wars. OK, anyone else totally lost too? If you're anything like Minji, seemingly responsible grown up as she (mostly) saw herself, you might have reached adulthood hearing about this grand milestone of owning a home over and over again. You might have 100% expected it to happen for you at some point when you were good and "established", even aspired to it and considered it a key marker of your success. But somewhere in the giant batch of subjects that were never properly taught to most of us in school - budgeting, credit scores, taxes - home ownership is right up there in obscure and overwhelming adult rites of passage. In this episode, Minji brings calls upon her friend, realtor Ken Er, to come educate us all and commiserate with those who've been intimidated and in the dark about this mystical real estate journey. Together they swap stories on how they first approached their very different experiences of buying property, the lessons that they painstakingly learned, and how much they've changed in their financial literacy once they took the plunge. If you've ever been amongst friends and family, nodding along pretending to understand your aunties drone on about HOA fees and refinancing more than once, this one's for you. You are not alone.

Links For Our Guest Ken Er:
https://www.instagram.com/ken_er/
https://www.instagram.com/youreastbayhome/
https://youreastbayhome.com/

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Stumble Home” by Samica
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh
Producer @AnnaSun
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#173 - Emotional Thirst Traps & Life Lessons with James Tang AKA Your Internet Boyfriend

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 12:00:00 -0800

With times as crazy as these, we need all the support we can get. Deep conversations with friends, a good book, a tranquil walk through a park, a home cooked meal, meditation...and a social media persona moonlighting as our ultra caring significant other. Enter our Internet Boyfriend and charming FOA guest this week, James Tang. In this episode, Minji catches up with her friend James, the creative soul behind the viral TikTok character "Your Internet Boyfriend" who caught some attention for his sincere and clever emotional thirst traps. And oh did the parched online audience show up for the empathy, acts of service, and undivided attention via loads of direct eye contact. James' content happened to be a point of joy and levity in Minji's dark pandemic days, and together they reverse engineer how this character was inspired through James' acting background and the astoundingly low bar for dating these days...and perhaps since forever. They discuss how this persona is received across both male and female audiences, James' insights from "dating" so many people on the Internet, as well as how this character has truly helped people come to realize some important things for themselves.

Links:
https://www.instagram.com/jamesthetang/
https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesthetang
https://twitter.com/jamesthetang

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Special” by Andy Yu
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh
Producer @AnnaSun
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#172 - Motherhood: The Good, The Bad, & The Unacceptable with Gaby Mier

Tue, 24 May 2022 12:00:00 -0800

Motherhood is a monumental, life-changing and sacred experience for those who embark on it. It's also an incredibly loaded topic shrouded in mystery, fear, and sometimes shame when it comes to the complex reality behind the glowy maternity photos, sonogram announcements, and darling newborn portraits. In this episode, the single and childless Minji invites her new friend Gaby Meier, a working woman and mother to a darling 1-year-old son, to get very honest and real about the ups, downs, & reality checks of motherhood today. They share stories of their own mothers, the examples they set, and their respective cultural environments, as well as their life expectations from an early age. They also get honest about their thoughts about feeling up for the challenge, their sense or lack of agency and choice, and the very real inequalities and shortcomings of modern American society in supporting mothers. They are here to un-boo all the taboos, to call out the lack of government and systemic support that should to be in place, and their hopes to provide space and support for the beautiful and hard realities of motherhood. TRIGGER WARNING - There is talk about miscarriages so if you need to skip this episode or come back to it later, please do.

Follow Minji On:

Follow our Guest Gaby Meier On:

Instagram (@wearisgaby)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Louder” by Alfa
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Social Media Marketing by @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#171 - Exploring The Law of Attraction and Manifestation with Roxy Shih (Two Horny Goats Podcast)

Tue, 17 May 2022 12:00:00 -0800

We're back with SEASON 3 fam! To kick off this third installment of First Of All, we set intentions to bring good vibes and deeply personal insights on some long-awaited topics. So we're starting by going all in on vibrations, frequencies, manifesting, and the law of attraction. In this episode, Minji brings back the hilarious and wise filmmaker and co-host of Two Horny Goats Podcast, Roxy Shih. Together they share their backgrounds of what led them to their respective spiritual journeys, one involving moving out of a devout religious Christian upbringing and the other coming straight from real life practical examples from their sage immigrant parents. They break down their philosophies and real life application of the law of attraction, and how they continue learning about how mindset, beliefs, energies, emotions, and even quantum physics result into some pretty profound experiences. They also get into some common "woo woo" misconceptions as well as bigger concepts of timing, energies, tarot, and channeling. This episode sets a reminder that life is a perpetual journey of growth, and we can continuously clear out the old to make for the new and good by aligning our mind, body, and spirit.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/roxyshih/
https://www.roxyshih.com/
https://www.twohornygoats.com/

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Lonely Star” by Priska
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#170 - Self-Awareness, Nonsense & Parenting Our Parents with David So (Genius Brain Podcast)

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 12:00:00 -0800

And just like that, we have reached the end of season 2 fam! And what better way to close it out than with the realest unfiltered-est conversation with comedian/podcaster/OG YouTuber/entrepreneur David So. In this extended season finale, David and Minji go down rabbit holes of self-awareness, fully owning what they dislike and also being disliked, as well as the ups and downs of being creative, achieving their goals, and changing ideas of success. They also discuss their second acts as grown adults parenting their aging parents, the challenges of accepting mortality and managing these very old, stubborn teenagers. Thank you so much for hanging with us for season 2 everyone!! We’ll be back soon later this spring!

Links:
https://www.instagram.com/davidsocomedy/?hl=en
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/geniusbrain/id1449325923
https://scrtsociety.com/
https://junbishop.com/
https://eatshrimpdaddy.com/

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and a Cover song by David So
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - Season Finale + thank you’s
00:01:59 - Intro’ing the guest + Topic
00:03:57 - Uncertain times and self-care
00:06:32 - Big brother birthday shout-out & Empowering gift giving
00:10:11 - David So made it on the pod despite landlord drama
00:16:00 - David & Minji origin story
00:18:31 - Pandemic fucked people up
00:21:13 - Easing back into society and David’s intensity
100:25:12 - Podcast is public communication in the moment
00:29:32 - Evolution of FOA conversations
00:31:37 - How David’s anxiety manifested in a woman’s bathroom
00:36:28 - Overcoming anxiety in high school
00:40:01 - Daring to fail
00:43:07 - Choose your destiny and enjoy the process
00:49:40 - Content creators are ball sacks
01:01:30 - BREAK + [Books & Boba Podcast] + FOA patreon
01:03:20 - Listen to Genius Brain Podcast episode about parenting
01:08:36 - Minji’s dad’s real reason for immigrating
01:12:13 - Asian parents don’t understand us! But they also have a point, damnit.
01:17:05 - Child abuse commercials don’t land
01:22:23 - Forgiveness, empathy is a tool for you
01:33:12 - Acceptance of our aging parents
01:40:01 - Monitoring sodium and water intake
01:46:45 - Thank you David for amazing stories about these real struggles
01:51:44 - Minji’s part in David and his fiance meeting
01:54:40 - David hates weddings too!
01:59:18 - This was a great recap of FOA S2
02:02:05 - FOA questions for our guest
02:06:01 - Outro + Shoutout to FOA Patrons + Leave a review! + Cover song by David So
02:08:23 - [They Call Us Bruce Podcast]

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#169 - Late Bloomers and the Ugly Duckling Syndrome with James Liao

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0800

This week, we get to hear a very personal and insightful conversation about late bloomers and the evolution of an ugly duckling from our well-spoken guest, James Liao. Most of us think of being a late bloomer in terms of physical appearance and romantic relationships. And while those are major players in the conversation, James also walks us through the not-so-skin-deep shifts in his social, relational, career and personality that also played a big hand in being a late bloomer. Minji and James share their contrasting adolescent experiences of being hyper aware of social hierarchies versus being shut off and bullied, their role models or lack thereof, and how being a "bloomer" and gaining access to social capital can shape them for better or worse.

Links:
https://www.instagram.com/jlaimaeos/
https://lijiethemusicmaker.com/home

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Follow Me Down” by Lijie
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - Hope everyone is safe and sane
00:02:25 - Intro’ing guest + topic
00:06:37 - How would James introduce himself?
00:10:30 - Acting class for business school
00:13:58 - “Acting is the study of life”
00:16:08 - James almost died twice
00:19:54 - Rationalized happiness + Emotional and mental calculus
00:25:39 - Late bloomers v early bloomers
00:31:49 - Channeled anger into 100s of pushups
00:35:43 - Ran away from home to go to church (age 13)
00:39:40 - Going from an INTJ to an INFP
00:40:13 - BREAK + [Quarantined Comics Podcast] + FOA Patreon
00:44:25 - Hyper aware v shut off
00:51:05 - Relationship bootcamp in college
00:56:40 - Asian American men in media
01:03:58 - The point when James bloomed
01:12:52 - When guys started to gravitate towards him
01:15:19 - Haters and downside of late bloomers
01:22:05 - We want to be loved whilst still evolving
01:29:35 - FOA Qs for Guest
01:32:32 - Outro + Share ep with a friend + Thank you Patrons! + Music by Lijie - “Follow you Down”
01:35:33 - [Books and Boba Podcast]

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#168 - The RISE of Asian American Culture with Jeff Yang & Phil Yu aka AngryAsianMan (They Call Us Bruce Podcast)

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0800

This one goes out to the Asian diaspora Gen X, millennial & Gen Z-ers who are getting better acquainted with or just further embracing tf out of their Asian identities. For most of us Asian Americans, we grew up assimilating, disconnecting, and/or over-representing this side of ourselves - our languages, customs, features - in a society where we were mostly stereotyped, fetishized, or simply overlooked and ignored. But throughout the many decades since our parents and grandparents immigrated from our motherlands, we've created spaces, trends, and our own subcultures that have blossomed into a unique and increasingly stronger identity. In this episode, Minji sits down with two Asian American trailblazers who have contributed their life's work to carving out a space for our stories - writers & public figures Jeff Yang and Phil Yu (aka AngryAsianMan). Together they discuss their new book RISE, co-authored with Phil Wang of WongFu Productions, which covers some highlights in the evolution of Asian American pop culture. They dive into how times have changed, the significance of challenging the status quo, and the importance of a supportive, unified community to address bigotry, hate, and ignorance.

Links: Spotify - Featured Music Playlist
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/feb/15/wsj-shoes-on-shoeless-house-essay

Follow Minji on:

Follow our guests Phil Yu (AngryAsianMan) and Jeff Yang on:

Phil Yu Instagram: @angryasianman
Jeff Yang Instagram: @originalspin
RISE book Instagram: @RISEAAbook

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “This Is A Song About Self Love” by DANakaDAN. Check out his new album "Me. Also Me." here!
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - Peace for Ukraine
00:03:55 - Intro’ing the topic + guests
00:12:42 - Disappointment and hope from the pandemic
00:15:18 - Phil and Jeff elevator pitch of what they do
00:23:20 - Impact of Angry Asian Man on college Minji
00:25:56 - Impact of Jeff’s writings and publication
00:34:48 - Origin story of Phil + Jeff
00:42:32 - Phil as a judge for Kollaboration
00:48:51 - BREAK - [They call us Bruce Podcast] + FOA Patreon
00:50:20 - RISE - the book is slice of AA history from 90s to now
00:56:55 - If we don’t tell our story, who will?
01:03:36 - The decision making process for the book
01:11:13 - Not a definitive chronicle but a POV from authors + collaborators
01:18:04 - Parts of the book they each championed
01:24:10 - Respect your elders!
01:25:18 - FOA Qs for our guests
01:33:08 - Outro + Drop a 5 star review + Music by DANakaDAN - “This is a Song About Self Love”
01:36:31 - [All the Asians on Star Trek Podcast]

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#167 - Starting A Business & Exploring Entrepreneurship with Sajani Amarasiri (Kola Goodies)

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:00:00 -0800

If you've dreamt of starting a business, you may have stumbled across a roadblock or fifty to get off the ground or even take the leap to pursue it... Should I quit a secure thing? What if I fail? How do I prepare financially? How do I break this to my parents/significant other/industry? How do I get started or even get my foot through the door? Do I need to go back to school? How long will it take to be "successful"? In this episode, Minji sits down with Sajani Amarasiri, founder of Kola Goodies, a superfood and wellness goodies brand with beautiful, authentic South Asian roots. Together they unpack Sajani's journey going from a highly favored Amazon then Microsoft employee with terrific benefits to a globetrotting entrepreneur learning the very basics of creating a business from the ground up. As an immigrant from Sri Lanka, Sajani's story has universal lessons for anyone who aspires to step off their beaten path - learning how to bet on yourself, overcoming microaggressions and daunting setbacks, taking many bites of humble pie, cultivating unbeatable determination and patience, identifying driving values and a unique mission, staying curious, and the importance of support from others.

Links: Spotify - Featured Music Playlist

Follow Minji on:

Follow our guest Sajani Amarasiri on:

Instagram (@sajaniamarasiri)
Instagram (@kolagoodies)
Website: Kola Goodies

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Butterfly (222)” by Maijah. Get her single here!
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#166 - A Rough Valentine's Day & Self-Love Story (SOLO)

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 13:00:00 -0800

It's one day after Valentine's Day and we know everyone's already over it, but what society never seems to be over are real life tales of love and loss - the good, the bad, and the excruciatingly ugly. We at First Of All admit it openly - we love LOVE. And over time we can appreciate the bad for what it teaches us. In this solo episode, Minji shares the story behind one of the worst Valentine's Days (if not the worst) of her life - like full on ugly crying on the floor processing betrayal while in a whole other country with no wifi kinda bad. She also reflects on the long road she walked to heal and find love again, complete with a cute little love letter to celebrate it.

Links: Spotify - Featured Music Playlist

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Anything For You” by Jules Aurora
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:05 - Valentine’s Day 2005 - Paris, France
00:05:20 - International calling cards & internet cafes
00:08:25 - Don’t mess with my big brother
00:11:55 - The ugly truth comes out & sinks in
00:16:33 - Angry woman > detective
00:24:50 - Light and darkness, hope and despair
00:27:01 - Getting out of heartbreak
00:31:29 - Single as helllll and peaceful and happy
00:37:16 - BREAK + [Books & Boba Podcast] + [FOA Patreon Plug]
00:38:59 - A letter to myself
00:42:28 - Power in putting thoughts on paper
00:44:04 - Teaser for upcoming journey
00:45:00 - OUTRO + We love DMs and emails! + Music by Jules Aurora - “Anything For You”
00:47:28 - [Quarantined Comics Podcast]

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#165 - Let's Talk Money & Personal Finances with Melly Lee

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 13:00:00 -0800

LET'S TALK ABOUT MONEY, Y'ALL. Now if talking about money openly and honestly ever felt taboo, this episode. is. for. YOU! To get into the nitty gritty of money relationships, habits and strategies, Minji brings back a wonderful returning guest - photographer and blogger Melly Lee - to unpack this broad and emotionally charged topic. The two dive into their histories with money as a spender vs saver, someone who struggled with mountains of debt vs someone who was deathly afraid of debt, and as individuals who never received a substantial financial education. They share beliefs about money that they inherited and how those beliefs manifested in some TOUGH (and expensive) lessons - in work, in friendships, in family dynamics, and more. Most importantly, they share how they've both started reprogramming themselves to feel empowered with money despite gender inequalities, self-sabotaging tendencies, and lack of guidance. This is for the many generations of kids/adults who've had to figure this all out on our own and are learning financial literacy and the creation of true wealth.

Links:
https://fromzerosavings.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mellylee_/

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “We Could Happen” by AJ Rafael
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - Intro. We made it!! Show me the money!
00:03:34 - Exposure does not pay the bills!
00:06:08 - From freelance → to → tech
00:08:31 - Making more money means better money management, right?
00:11:16 - Paying for college + student loans
00:15:22 - Money education started with red envelopes
00:18:20 - Money talks are taboo whilst money views are inherited
00:21:40 - Saver v spender
00:31:18 - Need to reprogram ourselves
00:34:42 - BREAK + Support FOA + [Quarantined Comics Podcast]
00:36:49 - Hard lessons Melly learned
00:43:38 - How Minji’s beliefs manifest her life
00:50:41 - POV’s about money passed down but no guidance
00:53:20 - Melly starts to take a hard look at finances
00:56:44 - Getting audited by IRS
00:58:56 - Cost of a bad accountant
01:04:27 - Retirement, budgets, & investments
01:17:02 - Be gentle with yourself
01:21:19 - Women were not raised to be financially literate!
01:27:22 - FOA Q’s for the guest
01:31:16 - Outro + Music by AJ Rafael - “We Could Happen”
01:34:31 - [They Call Us Bruce Podcast]

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#164 - I Hate Wedding Culture (& Love Weddings) with Anna Sun

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 13:00:00 -0800

Weddings! Love. Joy. Family. Friendship. Magic! Celebration!! .... Stress. Tension. Regrets. Bills. Fights. FOMO. As beautiful as these momentous milestones are meant to be, let's be real. Weddings can be as painful as they are joyous. In the whirlwind of dreams coming true under very strained budgets while juggling tons of deadlines, expectations, logistics and relationships...it can be anything but a fairytale. In this episode, Minji unpacks her issues with the insanity of modern wedding culture with her dear friend and fabulous producer - actor and mama Anna Sun. Together they share 15 weddings as bridesmaids/maids of honor, and Anna has been a bride herself. For the record, they both LOVE love and love weddings, but there's much to examine when it comes to the culture surrounding them nowadays. From price gouging to bridal party expectations, fragile relationships, pressures to perform and be perfect, toxic entitlement, cultural layers, social media, and MONEY issues, they break down some of their toughest experiences, lessons learned and the societal norms that have gotten out of hand when it comes to tying the knot. They share their battle stories to empower folks to make their special days the way they truly want, do things differently, normalize having those hard conversations and truly be surrounded by love!

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Monster” by Meg and Dia
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - Intro’ing + please be kind
00:04:38 - How we feel about this topic
00:07:53 - A sprinkle of positive commentary
00:13:01 - Anna’s engagement story
00:16:09 - The laugh/ cry moment of becoming a bridesmaid
00:20:09 - ALL the pressures + expectations
00:22:30 - How to prioritize ALL those decisions
00:25:01 - Nonexistent convos about money as a bridesmaid
00:30:31 - Bridesmaids v groomsmen
00:34:32 - BREAK - [Books & Boba Podcast]
00:35:41 - [Ways to support FOA]
00:37:29 - The wedding party selection
00:41:13 - The BM experience (esp in our 20s)
00:50:05 - Beware of becoming a bridezilla
00:54:52 - Always a bridesmaid
00:58:00 - Dealing with the guest list, parents and gift etiquette
01:08:20 - The best parts about Anna's wedding
01:10:31 - What Minji loves/ would change about weddings
01:18:58 - FOA Q’s for the guest
01:23:41 - Outro + Music by Meg and Dia (Monster)
01:26:20 - [Modern Minorities Podcast]

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#163 - Evolving Beauty Standards with David Yi (Very Good Light)

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0800

Beauty can be such a fun way to channel your self-expression, try new products/personas/looks, practice self-care, and get in touch with your innermost confidence. It can also be overwhelming and painful trying to keep up with societal standards that feel rigid, unattainable, and downright dehumanizing at times. In this week's episode, Minji sits down with David Yi, a beauty expert and passionate advocate of examining and redefining beauty as a concept, practice, and culture. David has spent most of his life breaking down stigmas and stereotypes by asking “SAYS WHO?” through his work as a journalist, his industry-disrupting beauty products and his new book Pretty Boys. Together they go beyond skin-deep in their discussion about what beliefs and paradigms they've subscribed to and how that impacted their sense of self. Both host and guest question ideas and gatekeepers, and how we can move forward being seen and empowered for who we truly are at every age, gender, and identity we embody.

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/seoulcialite/
https://verygoodlight.com/
https://bookshop.org/books/pretty-boys-legendary-icons-who-redefined-beauty-and-how-to-glow-up-too/9780358410683
https://asianpacificfilmexperience.com/

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “A Thousand Cuts” by Ruby Ibarra
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - Ways to support the pod
00:00:30 - Intro’ing the topic + guest
00:05:51 - How David introduces himself
00:07:24 - Has David considered becoming an accountant?
00:09:25 - The Han is very potent
00:11:00 - Minji’s contrasting childhood
00:13:25 - To feel seen in media
00:16:54 - The standard of beauty in America
00:19:01 - David never wanted to feel beautiful
00:21:02 - “Says Who?” = the essence of David and Minji
00:25:21 - Being the only Asian in the room
00:31:52 - Hire someone who can do Asian eyes and Asian hair, damnit!
00:34:56 - Beauty is preserving your essence
00:36:55 - BREAK - [Books and Boba Podcast]
00:39:12 - How Very Good Light got started
00:41:18 - Pretty Boys is a culmination of life’s work
00:43:57 - “Beauty” has been manufactured
00:48:35 - What do you mean “feminine” v “masculine”? Get specific.
00:51:12 - First memories of beauty
00:58:23 - When your family pushes plastic surgery
01:07:59 - FOA Questions for our guests!
01:09:51 - Outro + leave a 5*Star Review :D
01:12:14 - [Modern Minorities Podcast]

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#162 - The Great Resignation & When To Walk Away with Da Eun Kim & Sophia Sun (bamboo & glass podcast)

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0800

Season 2 of the Pandemic brought on a nationwide phenomenon known as The Great Resignation where MILLIONS of Americans either switched or quit their jobs..or have been thinking very hard about it. In this episode, the Gen Z hosts of Bamboo & Glass Podcast Da Eun Kim and Sophia Sun join Millennial big sis Minji to talk about their perspectives on how and why this may be happening. Together they share from their respective fields of healthcare, tech, grassroots non-profits, creative freelance, and the film industry. They also touch upon how things are shifting and how they themselves have been impacted by these changes. They breakdown society’s evolving ideas of progress, success, and passion, and how the pandemic has created life-changing moments to pause and reflect on our priorities.

Links:
Burnout tweet here
Status Quo tweet here

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Okay?” by Rianjali
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - [Patreon & other ways to support the show!]
00:00:34 - Intro the topic + guests
00:06:52 - Respective career journeys
00:13:46 - What Is the “The Great Resignation”
00:21:21 - Has anyone figured out work life balance?
00:27:59 - The grass is not always greener
00:33:03 - Should I stay? Or should I go?
00:39:51 - BREAK - [Modern Minorities Podcast]
00:41:10 - Peers who have switched/ resigned
00:51:08 - Older generations respond to their choices
01:00:20 - Redefining success
01:07:01 - Burnout v Exploitation
01:16:34 - FOA Questions for our guests!
01:20:18 - Outro + New Music [Okay? By: Rianjali]
01:22:57 - [Books & Boba Podcast]

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#161 - Men in Therapy & Why We Love It with Abe Kim

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0800

Welcome back to Season 2! To kick off our return to the airwaves, Minji and our wonderful guest, Abe Kim, explore their perspectives about men, feelings, and therapy. They discuss longstanding societal pressures that have formed our ideas about male identity as well as the brutal impact of conditioning men not to feel. You'll hear about how Abe got started in therapy, finding the right therapist, the work that goes into "the work", the financial aspect, and more. There's no time to waste y'all, let's dismantle the stigmas and get healing!

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Tough Guy” by Uzuhan
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - Welcome to Season 2 of FOA!
00:01:51 - Intro’ing the episode and hyping the guest
00:06:20 - Starting therapy and the great resistance
00:11:37 - Internalized beliefs about men and feelings
00:15:52 - How being Korean-American and religious shaped their views
00:22:54 - What MTV, Saved by the Bell, and Band of Brothers teaches about men 00:27:43 - Minji and Abe are sick of this shit
00:29:13 - Abe’s starts therapy and gets a diagnosis
00:33:36 - Human reaction to guard and avoid
00:39:48 - [Break] (plugs Marvel & Makeup Pod)
00:40:46 - Jumping back in
00:43:00 - Talking about therapy when you’re in it
00:48:29 - So, should I get into therapy?
00:55:19 - Matching with a therapist and dating
01:00:31 - How to make the money piece work
01:08:25 - Also celebrating the external work that Abe is doing
01:12:03 - closing out with 3x questions for our guest
01:18:50 - Outro + Tough Guy by Uzuhan + potluck podcast collective
(01:21:27 - Plugs Saturday School Pod)

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#160 - Happy Holidays!! Updates & Special Request For Season 2!

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 00:30:00 -0800

Surprise FOA fam!! Minji stops by to say hello & share some updates as we prepare for season 2! Tune in for this short episode with a special call to action for FOA listeners. Happy Holidays everyone!

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#159 - Stepping Out & Stepping Away

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0800

You ever reach a point in life when you step back and are just like, "Why have I been doing it this way???" Four plus years and many episodes later, Minji takes a moment to pause, reflect and make some big life decisions. Tune in to hear about radical responsibility + self-love, changing habits, and what’s changing for First Of All.

Follow Minji On:

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:39 - Announcement time

00:01:55 - The first season

00:04:26 - Coming to this decision

00:07:07 - Cold hard truth

00:20:20 - Go to bat and swing

00:25:21 - Thank you’s

00:32:04 - Minji Out

00:33:00 - Outro

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#158 - Jumping Out of Planes with David Choi

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0800

We've all been navigating a lot of unrest and uncertainty this past year and a half (or more), with so many TBDs, IDKs and false starts all around us. Some folks have made some major life changes, whether that's switching up a relationship, geographical location, family plans, or a career path. Our guest this week is pretty dang familiar with all of this territory, since diving into the unknown and switching gears has been a hallmark of his life for many years now. In this week's episode, our guest is none other than former YouTube musician and icon now tech CEO of Takko, David Choi. He and Minji sit down to talk about the mindsets and emotional rollercoasters of making some pretty monumental life decisions, and how that's turned out so far. David gets into setting goals and navigating the highs and lows as well as the difficult realities of taking the leap to become the next version of himself in a world that's less and less black and white. Tune in to hear more about how he continues to make gains in his transition to building a company while also becoming a husband and a father.

Links:

David Choi’s tweet about social media platforms

Takko App

Follow Minji On:

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “By My Side” by David Choi
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - Intro’ing aka hyping our guest

00:04:59 - Missing out on David’s hair

00:09:35 - What makes David happy?

00:12:30 - David doesn’t shrink from sharing his POV

00:17:28 - Nothing is black or white

00:20:19 - Social media only encapsulates that moment

00:23:21 - Becoming a YouTube Icon

00:26:51 - How to detach yourself from your work

00:31:10 - Imposter syndrome

00:37:44 - Transitioning from the YouTube world

00:40:30 - No pressure, no diamonds

00:47:01 - Skydiving and machetes

00:52:10 - Get out of the hole and take action

00:56:44 - Stepping out of the limelight

00:58:51 - How he met his wife

01:02:49 - Getting through the hard times

01:08:01 - Completely letting go and to each their own journey

01:11:17 - But make a damn decision

01:14:28 - What’s giving David life?

01:16:09 - What made David’s heart fly in the last 24 hours?

01:18:41 - Hard. Earned. Lessons.

01:20:09 - Takko the Next Gen video community!

01:23:32 - Outro

01:25:49 - Song - “By My Side” by: David Choi

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#157 - Being Single & Dating in your 30s with Mel Cheng (AsianBossGirl Podcast)

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0800

So the world continues to feel like it's imploding for a lot of us. And in the meantime, we're all at different stages in life - family dynamics, age, income, career trajectories, and relationship status - and just doing our best to figure things out from day to day. It has been one helluva strange year and a half to say the least, but also packed with tons of reflection on our places in life, who we want to be, where we want to go, and also who we want to go with. In this episode, we bring back Melody Cheng from AsianBossGirl podcast to talk with Minji about being single women in their 30's. As a new member of the 30's club, Mel has been saying bye-bye to those crazy 20's and transitioning into the beloved decade that supposedly promises more clarity, maturity, and self-love. Has it lived up to the hype so far? Let's talk about that. They discuss how they've processed the isolation of the pandemic, healing from breakups, and the aspects of dating in your 30s that make it challenging (especially with Minji unni having a few years head start). They talk about how they grapple with the harsh realities about themselves, expectations, realized hopes and dreams and how the heartaches have led them to reset and grow stronger for the next season. The wisdom that these ladies share not only applies to dating but to transitions and changing seasons of life at large.

Follow Minji On:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "Darling, I Love You" by David Choi
▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

00:00:00 - Intro
00:05:37 - Hyping Mel! + an ABG update
00:11:57 - Speaking of the lost pandemic year
00:15:28 - What we need v. what we like
00:21:47 - Questions that are raised when you’re a bridesmaid
00:24:55 - Minji’s breakup story and the tough life lessons she gleaned
00:27:56 - Falling in love with the idea of something
00:30:15 - Facing yourSELF in relationships
00:32:12 - Breakups are not a sign of your worth
00:35:55 - Age 29 is a rough year (Saturn’s return)
00:46:30 - Dating in your 30s
00:50:36 - Growth of knowing your non-negotiables
01:05:29 - Checking your patterns and points of weakness
01:07:23 - Everyone needs a feel-good ritual
01:11:30 - Mel’s pearls of wisdom for other single, 30-something-year-olds
01:16:57 - Outro
01:19:31 - NEW MUSIC ALERT by: David Choi

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#156 - Finding Your Voice, Setting Intentions + Spirituality with Roxy Shih & Priska Liang-Kim (Two Horny Goats Podcast)

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0800

The world feels like it's on fire or flooding at the moment, but we're here to bring some joy into it however we can. The two amazing hosts of Two Horny Goats podcast join Minji this week to put it all on the table about finding their voice and spirituality. Can we say dream collabo? The strength, vulnerability and honest humor of these women come through in a very open conversation about how they decided to go from "wouldn't it be nice" to "F it, I'm doing it, I'm making my own channel." They go over the intimacy of talk radio, how THG podcast came to be, how FOA may or may not have set the groundwork, and how we're all just particles in the crest of rising POC voices. They also dive into being gentler to our younger selves, and the practice of intention. They top it off by going into their newfound spiritual journeys that include religious upbringings, "what your sun/ moon/ rising sign?" and even a collective Tarot card reading for all our listeners!

00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:42 - "Magical podcast triad of orgies "
00:07:54 - What’s your drag name?
00:09:19 - Gassing up THG pod
00:12:12 - FOA paved the way for AA/ POC/ Women
00:17:18 - Podcasts are like raising a baby - more than you expect
00:26:06 - Life Coaches have hyped podcasts
00:30:15 - Process of putting Minji’s image on FOA Pod
00:33:54 - AA women need to be more gentle with past-selves
00:39:50 - Goal v Intention
00:52:21 - You learn a lot from your (old) self - even if it’s excruciating
00:54:08 - Talking sun, moon, rising signs
01:00:18 - Tearing up at a diner in the middle of Ktown
01:09:23 - We are more connected than different
01:12:49 - A Tarot card for the collective
01:15:19 - Outro
01:18:47 - Outro song: Dan aka Dan ft. Priska (aka one of our guest)

Links:
Good morning, I love you - mindfulness, intention book

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "SOB ROCK" by DANakaDAN ft. Priska
Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon
This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun
Supported by @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#155 - Spilling Tea & Creating Diversity in Hollywood with Dino-Ray Ramos

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 12:00:00 -0800

Times are a-changing in Hollywood when it comes to putting stories from minority voices up on the screen. How does it all work? How have people made a lasting difference in this very historically white male dominated industry? In this week's episode, we get a little peek into the world of a seasoned Hollywood journalist working in "the trades". Our guest is Dino-Ray Ramos, who has been amplifying marginalized communities through his journalism for two decades. He shares insight on the inner workings of the machine and his perspective covering stories of for the BIPOC, female, & queer communities, once upon a time for Deadline Hollywood and now for his own publication, Diaspora. Listen in to hear how he and Minji believe the Asian American community in Hollywood has evolved and some of the growing pains. You'll also learn how Papa Ramos influenced Dino-Ray’s work all the way from Texas, how we can flex on Hollywood better as viewers, and what we can do to create change beyond social media.

00:00:00 - Intro

00:04:21 - Celebrating the impact of Dino-Ray Ramos’ work

00:10:00 - When you care a lot about something and it adds up

00:14:51 - Evolution of media cycle & "the trades"

00:22:21 - Hollywood is built for the dominant culture

00:27:38 - Accountability means admission of wrong

00:32:17 - Why Dino-Ray started Diaspora

00:40:10 - Business v Community relationships

00:53:11 - “Go to where the love is”

01:07:47 - Call to action - beyond social media

01:11:47 - Wrapping it up and where to find Diaspora

01:15:55 - Outro + Patreon shoutout

01:19:42 - Pretty Lies by Run River North

Links:

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "Pretty Lies" by Run River North

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun

Supported by @JulianaDeer

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#154 - Panic Attacks & Chicken Cutlets

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 15:26:20 -0800

This week, Minji is extra thankful, humbled, and lost all at the same time as she examines the state of the world, America’s battle with Covid and common sense, concerns in her personal life as well as her very own scary run-in with 'Rona. Forced to go into full blown quarantine once again, she works through a panic attack, bouts of despair and a lot of anxiety. While in recovery, she comes across a documentary that educates and fires her up about longstanding gender discrimination in Hollywood. She shares her own experience with toxic body image through an unlikely fashion accessory and what she is doing to undo the warped representations of "reality" we're so used to as well as the overwhelming news of the world. Get ready to hear her hopes, revelations and self-liberation talk and why the world needs us to put out more messages of hope and support for all things good and positive.

Additional Notes:

Quote from IG:

“One way to keep your heart together when the state of the world weighs heavy on it, is to simply help somebody. Even if it is just one person.”

Netflix Documentary:

“This Changes Everything”

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:51 - State of the world? Not rosy.

00:04:25 - Personal turmoil and unknowns

00:07:11 - Quote to manage some of the despair

00:08:37 - First story: Run in with Covid

00:17:01 - I’m fine, I’m fine. (She was not fine)

00:21:09 - Managing reasonable anxiety

00:23:36 - Second story: self-care includes documentaries

00:29:43 - Enter chicken cutlets

00:36:56 - Slutty halloween costume

00:47:38 - Tying it all together with a nod to TikTok and a rally cry

00:54:31 - Outro + Special shout-out to Patreon patron

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "Pretty Lies" by Run River North

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh & @AnnaSun

Supported by @JulianaDeer

Patreon backers:

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#153 - "Normal People", Intimacy & Growth with Priska

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 12:00:00 -0800

First loves, coming of age, passion, romance, angst. YES, PLEASE. Minji and Priska openly share their love for the show “Normal People” based on the beloved novel by Sally Rooney. They go deep right out the gate with their thoughts and experiences with intimacy, abuse, heartache, beauty, class and mental health. They also dive into how the series portrays a particularly authentic journey with all the nuance and emotions of finding and losing love that everyday people around the world could connect with. There will be some spoilers but if anything, it may want you to watch the show more, so really they might as well be teasers. ;) (In true Minji fashion, she acknowledges she's a tad late to the hit of 2020 but let's overlook that because it's a miracle she even watched something, pls don't @ us.)

Priska is also our musical guest so stick around to hear her beautiful cover of "If The World Was Ending" with her husband Abe at the end!

How they felt about "Normal People" -

“I think this is the best thing I’ve watched since Parasite.” - Minji

“I do feel like this is millennial emotional porn.” - Priska

Warning: The episode contains sensitive themes about sexuality and mental health.

Add'l mentions from the episode:
Normal People by: Sally Rooney (book)
Normal People (TV show on Hulu)
Crappy Childhood Fairy YouTube Channel

00:00:00 - Intro
00:03:40 - Welcoming Guest
00:04:25 - Jumping in to Normal People
00:16:54 - Triggering moments
00:29:30 - Seeing and responding to abuse
00:37:35 - What does healthy intimacy look like
00:44:42 - Take-aways aka what do you want to cuddle up with
00:57:40 - Sexual Expression
01:01:05 - Wrap-up
01:03:48 - Outro
01:08:15 - Featured Artist (aka our guest Priska!)

This week's guest:

Priska (@priskamusik)

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "Spiders" by Run River North

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh
and @thisisannasun

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#152 - Coping With The Latest "Normal" with Steve Lim aka Steebu

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 12:00:00 -0800

So how about that Delta variant, eh? Yeah, it's been a lot for us here at First Of All and for our returning guest Steve, making us just like every other person on this planet in 2021. As many of you out there may have been sorting through returning to work, getting vaccinated, debating about vaccinations, pondering about work, questioning the meaning of life, being free of masks, having to mask up again, worrying about humanity, feeling every emotion under the sun about every one of your relationships under the sun, revenge traveling, & so much more, all while feeling like human interaction is everything you want and everything you hate at the very same time...we're with you. We're also very tired, and very much with you. In this episode, Minji and Steve share a little glimpse of how they have been managing this particular phase of the pandemic- quite poorly, in many cases. This one goes out to everyone whose energy gas tank has been running empty really fast. Together they discuss how they process the feelings, how they manage emotions and physical health, and how they remain hopeful, polite, and strong enough to get through each day. We can do this fam!

This week's guest:

Steve Lim (@ssurimu)

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "Spiders" by Run River North

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#151 - Embracing Identity & Chosen Family with Sam Futerman

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 12:00:00 -0800

Understanding our unique identities is no small feat. We're made up of so many intersecting things that also evolve over time. Some parts we embrace wholeheartedly, others confuse us, and some can just be difficult to accept. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend, Sam Futerman, to discuss her incredible journey as a transracial adoptee from Korea who also discovered an identical twin sister as an adult. From growing up with a white family and having to navigate uncomfortable questions, looks, and assumptions to documenting the biggest surprise of her life - reuniting with her sister, Anais - Sam has walked quite a path. Together they discuss the short and longterm impact of culture, ignorance, racism, and love in how we grow up and see ourselves. They also get into the concept of family and what that means to those who are bound by blood and the beauty of choosing your own family.

This week's guest:

Samantha Futerman (@samfuterman)

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "Time of Your Life" by DanAKADan featuring Alex Hwang

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#150 - A Beautiful & Terrifying Getaway (Happy 4th Birthday FOA!!)

Sun, 18 Jul 2021 12:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Minji shares a meaningful and harrowing experience of treating herself to her very first solo vacation to Hawaii. From making the decision, committing to keeping it, budgeting, and then actually spending a lot of time alone in a new environment, she goes through a whole mess of fun and sometimes awkward, sometimes difficult growth. This goes out to everyone who’s figuring out how to better love themselves, taking risks, and facing fears (uh, like ghosts). This is all very timely as we celebrate both Minji AND First Of All’s birthdays!! THANK YOU to all the listeners who have been on this 4 year long journey with us!

**Note: Minji would like to note that she has learned about some of the recent difficulties Hawaiians have been facing in the sudden flood of tourists in 2021, so she asks you please be mindful as you consider traveling to any part of the islands.

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "Peace at Last" by Tim Atlas

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#149 - The Hero's Journey with Anthony Francisco (Marvel Studios)

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 12:00:00 -0800

Ever stop and look back on your life and realize that you've actually overcome some pretty crazy things? Same. It may not feel like particularly special at the time, but everyone is navigating their own unique path on their individual hero's journey. In Hollywood-land, the hero's journey is a storytelling mechanism in which the main character overcomes major obstacles and challenges to transform and grow as a person (or dinosaur, elf, what have you). In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend Anthony Francisco, who works as an artist for Marvel Studios creating worlds and culture-shaping characters (Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy, NBD), and has an incredible story of his own behind this gorgeous dream career and life he now lives. Born and raised in the Philippines, dreaming of life in America and just barely making it out, Anthony has navigated through many a heartbreak and adventure. This may or may not include joining the military without telling his parents and contemplating choosing between career and the love of his life. Get ready for crazy tales and reflections on purpose, choices, risks, and also dreams that really do come true.

This week's guest:

Anthony Francisco (@anthony_francisco_art)

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "We Belong '21" by Magnetic North & Taiyo Na feat. Ann One

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#148 - Getting Over Getting Ghosted (Ouch)

Fri, 28 May 2021 12:00:00 -0800

Getting ghosted is great. If great suddenly means the absolute worst. As much as we wish we could be eternally unbothered, always in our most confident state, completely incapable of feeling small or rejected...it happens to the best of us. Falling for someone can be a high like no other- full of mystery, intrigue, butterflies, and anticipation. And if it doesn't work out, especially when the person, uh, vanishes, the fallout can be more than we ever bargained for. In this episode, Minji gets vulnerable sharing a (now) funny story about getting rejected and ghosted by a cute boy. She unpacks some of the deep insecurities that came to light in the aftermath, the underlying beliefs that she's carried around rent-free for most of her life, and how she's taken this painful as an important lesson in self-love and healing her mental health by changing her story.

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "How Do I" by Surrija

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#147 - Asian & Black Community Healing with Marcus Moore & BT (Culture Score)

Mon, 10 May 2021 12:00:00 -0800

Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month~ hope you all take time to celebrate the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) folks in your universe, including yourself if that applies. While May calls for honoring the Asian diaspora, it has been a painful and scary year for the AAPI community, with surges in anti-Asian brutality, hatred, and xenophobia. In the midst of all the ongoing racial tensions in the US and around the world, many have resorted to lashing out or just resigning to apathy. Some, however, have taken the opportunity to dive into complicated and sensitive conversations about race relations in hopes to build bridges and create much-needed healing. In this episode, Minji sits down with entertainment industry veterans and podcast co-hosts Marcus Moore and Ben Tubuo (or BT). They host Culture Score podcast, which discusses the impact of black culture on entertainment and entertainment on black culture. Together they continue a frank and sincere conversation on the tension between the Asian and black communities, including the history of hostility, misinformation, pain, and shared humanity. This conversation is an invitation to folks to create more points of connection, to listen and relate, to practice and build empathy, and to move out of fear into respect and love.

This week's guests:

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "Stop The Hatred" by MC Jin & Wyclef Jean

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#146 - Outgrowing People Pleasing (the Disease to Please) with Kevyn Fong

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 12:00:00 -0800

For some people, it's easy to ask for what they want. It's not a big deal to say no. It doesn't take everything out of them to put themselves first all the time or even a majority of the time when it comes to big and little decisions. Some people walk around not having a bottomless need for approval, permission, or external validation. For anything. Seriously. And for some people, they don't know what that existence even begins to feel like because all they do is maneuver themselves around others and compromise their comfort for everyone else. And a lot of us may be somewhere in the middle. In this episode, Minji brings back her dear friend Kevyn Fong to unpack his inspiring COVID glow up that involved addressing a lifelong struggle with people pleasing. While Kevyn committed himself to getting physically fit and healthy, the internal shift that happened was undeniable and just as fulfilling as the outer transformation. They open up about what was at the root of playing small to stay "safe", and how they've taken tangible steps to say no (and mean it), ask for help, and become the main characters of their own stories.

This week's guest:

Kevyn Fong (@level4alpha)

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Music featured in this episode include "Uzuhan" by Uzuhan and "Louder" by Alfa

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#145 - Letting Go of Baggage with Jessica Stafford (Jessica Blanc Alazay)

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 12:00:00 -0800

Life moves quickly, doesn't it? And before you know it, you've gone through relationships, career changes, life transitions, family drama, friendships, and growth milestones in the blink of an eye. It's one thing to be able to slow down or even pause to savor all the good stuff, and it's another to let go of things that have taken up space, hurt you, and stunted your happiness. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend, artist/producer/creator Jessica Stafford, to dive into how important it is to let go of emotions, wounds, regrets, and even tangible things from our past that can hold us back. Jessica shares some of her life's biggest challenges, including a very difficult relationship with her mom, moving around, being bullied, and figuring out her life path through many location, careers, and versions of herself. Together they reflect on what they've learned about messing up, including how we can all make the same mistake repeatedly to finally learn its necessary lesson. This goes out to anyone who's needing to take an emotional or mental load off, so they can move forward on purpose with more freedom.

This week's guest:

Jessica Stafford (@alazay_official)

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Our theme song is "Inner Me" by Melissa Polinar

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#144 - Reaching New Audiences & Taking Up Space with Kyra Kim (NASA)

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 12:00:00 -0800

Spending a year+ in quarantine and separated from others has taken toll on many of us. Feeling isolated and feeling disconnected has made everyday life and even work life lose a lot of spark. Some people have gotten creative and use whatever platform is available to keep that light on and find opportunities to reach people who may have otherwise been inaccessible. This is how this weeks guest, NASA Postdoctoral Fellow Kyra Kim, utilized the new Clubhouse app to widen her audience and spread the word about her work at the Jet Propulsion Lab in water sustainability. Then Minji heard her and their destiny was cemented in this deep dive conversation into Kyra's incredible journey from pursuing classical piano and law to geological studies. Together they discuss the current state of women working in male dominated fields, processing American culture shocks, and learning how to take bold moves in speaking to audiences who may or may not receive you well. We learn about Kyra's fascinating work on the essential resource we first-worlders cannot afford to take for granted much longer - groundwater. Together they strategize how to make science accessible, sexy, and sustainable by getting everyone to do their part.

This week's guest:

Kyra Kim (@whatsheworetoscience)

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Our theme song is "You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover" by Ruby Ibarra

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#143 - Enough Is Enough - Now What?

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 12:00:00 -0800

The last several weeks of anti-Asian violence and the subsequent expanding conversation around anti-racism in general has intensified. While communities and individuals have turned to various sources for information and outlets to express their grief, we've all come to revisit the enormity of the problem and felt a number of feelings from bitterness and rage to fear and hopelessness. None of these issues are simple, but all have left their mark in society that enough has been enough for way too long and there is work to be done. For AAPI specifically, there has been an internal and external call to action to stop the silence and stand up for ourselves. The question is, how? Minji shares reflections from recent conversations with individuals who range from being well-versed on the issue of structural racism and those who are just stepping up to the plate to speak out. How can we continue to share constructive strategies so our pain and suffering don't fester into lasting hatefulness and distrust? Minji touches upon growing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the workplace, identifying ways to partner with other groups, and taking time to intentionally address personal pain points.

---

The Asian American community is going through a time of collective grief following a year of rising racial tensions and fear, punctuated by this week’s tragic murders in Atlanta. To our listeners who are looking for ways to take more direct action, either to spread the word, protect our community, or support the victims, here are some resources for you:

Support the AAPI Community Fund to uplift and protect Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
3 Ways to support our community in Atlanta (courtesy of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta):
Sign on to AAJA-Atlanta’s collective community statement
Donate to support the victims and their families and to support crisis intervention
Offer to share crisis response resources to those in need

---

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Someone's Beloved" by MILCK

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#142 - Living & Processing #StopAsianHate

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 12:00:00 -0800

The last few months have been a physical and emotional overload for Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and many Asians around the world facing violent attacks in a surge of racism and xenophobia. With the recent murders of 6 Asian women in Atlanta, Georgia, many AAPI are reeling from the mental toll and the heightened fear for their safety and the safety of their loved ones. In this solo episode, Minji shares some of her thoughts in the wake of the shooting as well as her experiences being fetishized as an Asian woman, and being silenced, discouraged and educated on many of the deeply rooted issues that have brought us here. This episode is meant to serve as a safe space for listeners to grieve, reflect, and regroup as we learn how to stand up for ourselves as well as in true solidarity with one another against hate.

---

Support the AAPI Community Fund to uplift and protect Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
3 Ways to support our community in Atlanta (courtesy of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta):
Sign on to AAJA-Atlanta’s collective community statement
Donate to support the victims and their families and to support crisis intervention
Offer to share crisis response resources to those in need

---

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Someone's Beloved" by MILCK

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#141 - Healing Trauma & Transforming with Lillian So

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 13:00:00 -0800

Sit down and get ready, fam. We're about to get right into our feels, our issues, & go DEEP on this one. In this episode, Minji sits down with Lillian So, who some people call a life coach, some people call a healer, integrator, or facilitator of transformation. Whatever you want to call her work, & whatever your comfort with the spiritual "woo-woo" (no worries, we understand), Lillian's work is helping people work through some of their toughest internal barriers to change their lives for the better. Together, Minji & Lillian break down the tough but necessary process of healing old wounds & traumas, including some helpful framing of WHY & HOW we get stuck in awful cycles of pain & victimhood. They share personal stories & reflections on how our family dynamics, generational trauma, culture, egos, & habits can get in the way of inner peace, financial stability, healthy relationships, & more. Let the healing begin.

This week's guest:

Lillian So (@meetlillianso )

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
Instagram (@minjeezy)
Clubhouse (@MinjiChang)

Our theme song is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "IFYIS (I Forgive You I'm Sorry)" by Jennifer Chung

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#140 - Leaving Your Comfort Zone with Helen Wu (AsianBossGirl)

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 13:00:00 -0800

The most universal life experience: the gut-wrenching, butterflies in your stomach, lightheaded, sweaty palms, heart racing, quasi-hyperventilating breath, hold-up-I-need-a-moment, shaky af...leaving of your comfort zone. Can I do this? Do I have what it takes? What if it doesn't work out? What if I fail? What I let ____ down? Should I do this? We've all been there. And sorry (but not sorry) to call it what it is fam, we'll continue to face these necessary changes as we grow. The silver lining is that practicing courage and a bit of that "F it" boldness can be transformative in the best of ways. In this episode, Minji sits down with Big 4 corporate veteran turned inspiring podcaster and creative Helen Wu from AsianBossGirl in her very first solo podcast conversation ever. Together they reflect on her significant and scary life changes, including leaving her hometown of Boston and relationships to pursue a new life across the country, navigating a challenging career, growing in her relationship with now-fiance Phil Wang, and taking on a new identity as a creative professional with AsianBossGirl Podcast, including facing major phobias like public speaking. They dive into the highs and lows, the lessons, the fears, and future visions. Show Helen some love as she takes flight in 2021!

This week's guest:

Helen Wu (@hwuwu)
Asian Boss Girl Podcast (@asianbossgirl)

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Our theme song is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "Spiders" by Run River North

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#139 - Dealing With Uncertainty with Kulap Vilaysack (Add To Cart Podcast)

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 13:00:00 -0800

Ever feel like you're working so freaking hard at "getting it together", leveling up, building the life of your dreams, etc... only to have life throw you a curve ball? Say.. a rejection, a change of heart, or even a little global pandemic? As much as we're constantly seeking certainty and control, life is usually anything but. So while we're all STILL smack in the middle of the highly uncertain COVID era, we say it's a great time to get introspective on dealing with the uncomfortable, peculiar in-between. In this episode, Minji sits down with the wildly talented and hilarious Kulap Vilaysack, writer/director and host of Add To Cart Podcast. Together they float on their respective metaphorical life rafts, trying to make sense of this past year, our turbulent society, and our relationships. Kulap shares some wise perspective on navigating a changing and fulfilling career in Hollywood from acting in The Office to becoming a showrunner, even with the common (and crippling) comparison game. She dives into her journey finding her father and discovering her roots in Laos while making her documentary Origin Story. From politics to creating rituals to stay grounded, this is a safe space for anyone out there just trying to get through the day. Same, we got you.

This week's guest:

Kulap Vilaysack (@iamkulap)
Add To Cart Podcast (@addtocartpod)

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Instagram (@minjeezy)
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Our theme song is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "Peace At Last" by Tim Atlas

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#138 - Fighting Invisibility & Speaking Up with Bryan Pham & Maggie Chui (Asian Hustle Network)

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 13:00:00 -0800

In a world where all people strive to be seen and understood, invisibility can be demoralizing, damaging, and dangerous. Asian Americans have long experienced marginalization as a model minority (myth) - a quiet, hardworking, and subservient community that stays low-key, obedient and committed to the grindstone. In this week's episode, Minji sits down with the co-founders of the Asian Hustle Network, Bryan Pham and Maggie Chui, to dive into how their passion project turned full-time job aims to dismantle the bamboo ceiling in the media, corporate, and entrepreneurial world. They also talk about how their growing community and increasingly louder voice coincides with the anti-Asian violence that has surged in the COVID era. As many Asians struggle with the pain of internalized racism and heightened fear of hate crimes, our stories and voices take a new significance. Together they share their successes, struggles, intentions, and strategies on how to make more spaces to empower the unseen and show up for others.

This week's guest:

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Our theme song is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "Captain America" by Year Of The Ox

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#137 - Becoming A Better Person (Hopefully) with Sarah Coy

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 13:00:00 -0800

In our current world of heightened awareness around issues like mental health, race, gender identity, xenophobia, homophobia, and sooo much more, there are tons of ways we can say or do the wrong thing. Go back a few years, and you might remember some horrific stuff you used to say as a joke, or find a problematic tweet you posted or a very poorly worded letter or journal entry. Like, who really wrote that? We know, guys. We cringe too. And while it's highly uncomfortable to face these less than ideal versions of ourselves, it is a normal and important part of evolving as a person. Society as a whole has gotten more vigilant about accountability, even ruthlessly calling out problematic behavior and freely calling upon the power of cancel culture. Still there remains the fact that everyone is still figuring themselves out, with differing levels of success. In this episode, Minji talks with her high school classmate and brilliant makeup artist, Sarah Coy. Together they unpack some of their misconceptions, biases and pitfalls as teenagers who didn't know each other's real baggage at all. They discuss how the sleepy, conservative California suburbs and cultural influences they grew up in shaped their outlook and expectations in life. They also talk about navigating privilege and stumbling through extremely tough but necessary conversations as adults and allies of marginalized communities. Let's do better together.

This week's guest:

Sarah Coy (@coymakeup)

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Our theme song is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "Little Lies" by Run River North

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#136 - Micro-Moving Into 2021

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 13:00:00 -0800

Alright, so we made it to 2021, which has been feeling an awful like an extension of the 2020 season of Life. Still in a pandemic, still unclear about the future, facing our private and personal struggles on top of the societal/global issues that are just impossible to ignore. The bad part? We still don't know how much longer we'll be in these circumstances. FR, most likely a good while longer. The good part? It's not forever. We still have each other. We're building resilience together. And we're learning how to rise to the occasion and face challenges that will strengthen us as individuals for the long haul. While we're all just doing our best make it through the day, hold onto a job, navigate our relationships, maintain our health, and keep faith alive for brighter days, we're forced to take it all a day at a time. In this episode, Minji kicks off FOA season 2021 with a direct heart to heart with anyone who needs it. She shares the inner work that's helped her work through the mental noise, the emotional chaos, and the real life challenges of making a living with a fluctuating supply of energy and motivation. The key? Big values and visions with MICRO MOVES. Take every task, every goal, every priority one teeny tiny step at a time when you can. We've got this fam!!

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Our theme song is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#135 - All The Things: A 2020 Debrief with Sean Miura

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 19:11:05 -0800

WHAT. A. YEAR. We made it y'all. Now, there's a loooot to unpack, and we all have our own ways that we want to say goodbye to one of the most difficult years the world has collectively experienced in all of history ever. And we support all of it. We went through every kind of upheaval: from personal struggles in every size, shape, form, and intensity.. to massive societal reckonings magnified from our local communities all the way to the global stage. None of it was normal. And we survived. And in the midst of the exhaustion, grief, and dread, we are all finding things to be thankful for. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend, producer and community organizer Sean Miura to talk through some of their most significant lessons (that Minji can actually remember because.. 2020). From race to cancel culture, calling out to calling in, disconnecting to setting intentions, coping mechanisms to relationship wins. We process the tip of the iceberg that was 2020 to make peace, get centered and move into 2021 with our eyes open and hearts full of hope.

THANK YOU to everyone who rode the waves of 2020 with us at First Of All. Sending massive hugs and positive vibes as we close out a year we'll never forget (even if we want to). Proud of all us for making it through! Remember: you are RESILIENT, you are ENOUGH, & you are LOVE.

This week's guest:

Sean Miura (IG: @seanmiura)

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Our theme song is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#134 - Closing Chapters (part 2) - Passing the Torch & Shifting Identities

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0800

Happy Holidays, FOA fam!! In last weeks episode, we got into what it's like to follow your heart, take risks to figure out what's right for your current self, and leave the old self behind. In a continuation of this theme of closing chapters, this week's solo episode goes into Minji's personal journey of exiting her role as Kollaboration Executive Director, and passing the torch to its new incoming leader, Jane Kim, right at the organization's 20th anniversary at the end of a very rough 2020. For 11 years, Minji grew in her roles within this legacy movement that deeply shaped her identity and revealed her life purpose: elevating Asian American artists to create authentic representation of a historically invisible population. Through the years, she gathered life lessons in leadership, relationships, industry politics, and taking ownership of your life's possibilities. She also learned how deeply she tied herself to certain accolades, titles, and achievements to define her self-worth, and how to let go of that. (Or at least start to. :P) Tune in as she shares stories, advice, and visions of the future as the search for her successor is finally complete and she moves forward into the unknown with gratitude and faith.

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Our theme song is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#133 - Closing Chapters (part 1) with Kelly Nickels

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 16:20:25 -0800

Whether we go into phases of our lives on purpose or going with the flow, there often comes the time when any particular life chapter comes to an end. A breakup, a move, a new/lost job...a pandemic. 2020 has been a hurricane of beginnings, endings, transitions, and limbo. During this rollercoaster year, folks have had to come to terms about their values, their priorities, their choices, and their next steps in life. Something we do whether there's a virus ravaging the world or not, but a lot more intensely and frequently to say the least. In this episode, Minji closes a chapter in her life with her dear friend and departing roommate, Kelly Nickels. Kelly last joined FOA in 2019 while processing her divorce and entering a new beginning. Well, to spill some of the tea, a LOT has happened since then, like her getting stuck in the UK for a majority of quarantine and making some significant life changes including leaving the US - and her work, family, friends - behind for good. Together they process what we can go through while closing chapters in our lives, intentionally or unintentionally. How to listen to our gut, how to pull ourselves up after screwing up, how to take risks, how to prepare, and how to accept that horrible, awful, terrifying thing: change.

This week's guest:

Kelly Nickels (IG: @kelly_nickels)

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Our theme song is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#132 - Practicing Gratitude & Little Miracles

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0800

As much hardship as we've all endured, 2020 has also served as a powerful catalyst for gratitude for what really matters and learning to let go of what doesn't. In this episode, Minji returns to FOA after the sudden passing of her grandmother, which was immediately followed by a wonderfully brutal wait-i-this-COVID-nvm-it's-a-nasty-flu. In processing her grief while regaining her health after being out of commission for weeks, she reflects on the ways hardship can highlight some of those important things that get taken for granted. She commemorates her grandma and also shares what happened a bit miraculously as friends and family came together to support her passing. Taking regular stock of our small, daily miracles can hopefully help boost our positive energy to survive these hard days. Sending love to all the tired, stressed, anxious, and hopeful out there!

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Music in this episode include "State Change" from by Priska

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#131 - Preparing & Processing Election Day

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 20:04:34 -0800

It has been a long, weary road to Election Day in the US. We are tired and mentally fragile. Our souls, brains, and bank accounts are hurting. COVID still rages on. Everything screams, IS THIS OVER YET??! Yeah. Same. If we're in a metaphorical boxing ring, we're insanely sweaty, one eye is puffed closed, and our center of gravity is compromised. So take a seat in the corner of the ring to regroup with Minji to process all the insanity, practice a little gratitude, and then get back in the ring.

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Music in this episode include "State Change" from by Priska

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#130 - Learning How To Like Myself with Melly Lee

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 12:00:00 -0800

Self-validation, where have you been our entire lives? How wonderful it is to actually LIKE yourself without having it followed up by guilt, shame, anxiety, or doubt. Seriously, those "feeling myself" moments are EVERYTHING. They can come in waves, they can come momentarily, but hopefully we're all on a path of increasing, genuine, lasting appreciation of who we are just as we are. BUT HOW DOES ONE GET THERE??? Far be it from us to tell you what your best way is. But we will share many personal thoughts, experiences, hijinks, self-critical judgments, epiphanies, truth bombs, and miracles that got us to where we are. In this episode, Minji sits down with her dear friend slash amazing photographer, blogger, and visual storyteller Melly Lee. Together they sift through their past rubble of feeling lost, disillusioned, disconnected, and hopeless, and how they came to have moments of feeling content and proud of who they are. They discuss everything from cognitive behavioral therapy to breath work (oh hai, Wim Hof) and Meyers Briggs assessments, accepting help from lifeline friends to helping ourselves through building daily habits and affirmations. Practical, spiritual, heart, soul, & mind unite!

This week's guest:

Melly Lee (@MellyLee_)

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Music in this episode include "State Change" from by Priska

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#129 - Overwhelmed & Burnt Out with Priscilla Liang-Kim aka Priska (Two Horny Goats Podcast)

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 12:00:00 -0800

We are going THROUGH IT, y'all. 2020 elections. Politicians. Family drama. Financial instability. Racism. Romance..or lack, thereof. Self-criticism. Loneliness. Friendships. FOMO. Climate change. Earthquakes! Hurricanes! Masks. Anti-maskers. Debates. Vaccines. Unemployment. Bad skin. The endless glittering evil of social media. Zoom meetings. Fried nerves. Fragile immune systems. Happy moments. Plant babies. Guilt. Shame. Gratitude. Meditation. Working out. Therapy. Breathwork. Making future plans for a future that has no definitive indication of ever really happening. How's your 2020 going? Come sit down in this episode with Minji and the amazing, eloquent, hilarious Priska from Two Horny Goats Podcast. Together they discuss coping mechanisms, clear (and subtle) signs of burn out, re-strategizing what self-care means, and some deeper underlying issues that may be screaming for our attention. Bring some tea (or whiskey, whatever) & get comfortable. This year is NOT NORMAL, and will work through our struggles together.

This week's guest:

Priska (@PriskaMusik)

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Music in this episode include "State Change" from by Priska

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#128 - Love Is A Choice with Yoshi Sudarso

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 12:00:00 -0800

Many a hopeless romantic has walked around with the notion that things are or aren't "meant to be". That life, and certainly love, is a series of divinely coordinated ups and downs with a predetermined destination. Or is it like Forrest Gump says- who knows if we have a destiny or if we're all just floating around accidental like on a breeze? Maybe it's both. In this episode, MInji sits down with her friend, actor and stuntman Yoshi Sudarso to talk about love and fate. Yoshi shares his beautiful lifelong journey to love, marriage, and now baby(!!) with his wife Sarah. From meeting Sarah as a young boy and being smitten with her from afar to getting the actual real thing, there were many many twists and turns in between. Yoshi and Minji go in depth about his path of growing from infatuated kid to an adult who practices wisdom, courage, and free will to choose love with eyes wide open.

This week's guest:

Yoshi Sudarso (@yoshi_sudarso)

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Music in this episode includes "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#127 - Are We Even Friends? with Dan Matthews (DANakaDAN)

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 12:00:04 -0800

How do you define a "friend"? Have you ever broken up with one? Or just drifted apart? Does ghosting apply here? Realized someone that used to be a best friend no longer is? Had an unrequited friend love? Friends means a lot to us at every phase in life from the time we're wee little ones. They support us in hard times, inspire us to be better, hold us accountable, cover for us in crisis mode, share secrets and strange interests, and see us through our best and our worst. And also.. friendships change. As we become adults, our priorities shift, we relocate, we gain new interests, meet new people. Making and maintaining meaningful friendships remains just as important to our well-being, but our connections evolve. To discuss one complex topic, Minji sits down with her friend, creative producer and alternative rapper Dan Matthews. Their friendship started and deepened over the years through collaborative projects in their community and then with intentional heart to hearts. In this open conversation, Dan breaks down his views on how people can fall under different categories of friend intimacy, and even how to deal with drifting apart over time and straight incompatibility. Celebration, rejection, bonding, jealousy, confusion, love, loyalty...FRIENDSHIP.

This week's guest:

Dan Matthews (@DanAKADan)

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This episode is brought to you by HBO

The finalists for the 2020 HBO APA Visionaries Short Film Competition have been announced! HBO Visionaries will be celebrating its 4th class of emerging Asian and Pacific Islander American filmmakers on Friday, September 25 during the virtual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

Tune in at 5pm PT/8pm ET, Friday, September 25 via www.hbovisionaries.com to meet this year’s Visionaries, watch the films, and see some familiar faces! All three Visionary 2020 shorts will also be available to stream on HBO Max on Tuesday, September 29.

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Follow Minji on:

Music in this episode includes "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#126 - Your Voice Matters with Sam Hyun (HateIsAVirus)

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 12:00:25 -0800

If there's anything that 2020 has taught us thus far, it's that health is wealth, tomorrow is not guaranteed, community and connection keep us afloat, and there are crucial issues that require our humanity's conscious attention and action. Even for those who have been aware and passionate about activism, representation, and civic participation prior to 2020, this year is undeniably significant. Time feels both endless and fleeting, our energy is zapped, our nerves fragile, and stakes for both society and the planet are high. In this episode, Minji sits down with Commissioner & contributing #HateIsAVirus host Sam Hyun to talk about why and how this generational & global rally for action matters so much. They dive into their backgrounds, the importance of the 2020 Census + voting, and how Sam found his passion for politics through the inspiring bad@$$ leaders before him, including his strong Korean American mother. Sam sheds light on how embracing our identities can help us understand how our voices matter in big and small ways. We can take space, exercise our power, hold leaders accountable, demand better, take responsibility for our communities, become leaders and reimagine a better future. This one goes out to the millennial and zoomer generations who are now in full inheritance of guarding our future. We got this so let's handle it.

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This episode is brought to you by HBO

The finalists for the 2020 HBO APA Visionaries Short Film Competition have been announced! HBO Visionaries will be celebrating its 4th class of emerging Asian and Pacific Islander American filmmakers on Friday, September 25 during the virtual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

Tune in at 5pm PT/8pm ET, Friday, September 25 via www.hbovisionaries.comto meet this year’s Visionaries, watch the films, and see some familiar faces! All three Visionary 2020 shorts will also be available to stream on HBO Max on Tuesday, September 29.

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Follow Minji on:

Music in this episode includes "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#125 - A Pep Talk: You're Going To Be OK

Sat, 12 Sep 2020 12:00:02 -0800

For anyone going through a tough time, this one's for you. In this episode, Minji shares her thoughts on riding waves of pain and uncertainty during a genuine moment of inspired action. She sends you all her love and encouragement to get through your hard moments if and whenever you need. You've got this and we've got you.

Follow Minji on:

Music in this episode includes "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#124 - Lessons From My First Love

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 14:15:44 -0800

(Warning: this episode includes content regarding suicide. If you are not in a good space to hear thoughts on this topic, we recommend listening at another time. Be well & take care of yourself.) We're getting into all our feelings in this one. In this episode, Minji shares the story, memory, & lessons learned from her first love, Jay. In celebration of his life & the lasting impact he made on her in the many years since they fell in love at church as 10-year-old kids, Minji reflects on some of her most beautiful & painful moments. She goes into the joyful innocence & heart awakening of a first love as well as the lasting friendship that also veered into unhealthy territory at times. She shares the process of losing him to suicide in 2018 & how that has shaped her until now. She hopes that in commemorating Jay, she can continue her healing while also helping others process their own pain & keep finding light at the end of their tunnels.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. We can all help #PreventSuicide. @800273TALK provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). suicidepreventionlifeline.org #NPM19

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This episode features the song "Set Free" from Travis Atreo

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#123 - Becoming Who You Are with Lilan Bowden

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 16:19:56 -0800

In the wise words of King Mufasa, you must REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE. And to supplement that very meta, very poetic guidance from an animated lion with a perfectly resonant voice, it's OK to be figuring out who & what that even means every single day. In this week's episode, Minji sits down with comedian/actor/director Lilan Bowden to talk about her twists & turns of becoming said comedian then actor and now director. This isn't a discussion talking shop about industry maneuvers (though that would be a great spin-off episode for later).. this is about being a geeky middle schooler dying for a training bra to fit in with her peers and being a grown a** woman who can fully own that she doesn't care to be "one of the guys" or subjecting herself to the torment of watching sports. Yeah, we said it. And if you're into it, good on you. :) Lilan shares her career wins expanding from guest appearance on Parks & Rec (whilst Minji screams) to becoming a series lead on Disney Channel's Andi Mack and recently taking the helm as director of a successful short film Becoming Eddie. They talk about the humility of being a perpetual student, stepping into power as a leader and learning to trust a team. Life is crazy, but it can be beautiful. Sometimes we just need reminders that we're all constantly at the drawing board, being challenged, getting thrown curve balls (like a horrible performance.. or a relationship ending...or a global pandemic), and just learning to make the best of it all.

This week's guest:

Lilan Bowden (@yourfriendlilan)

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This episode features the song "Pretty Lies" from Run River North

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#122 - Letting Go Of Control & Checking Reality with Josh Han

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 12:00:06 -0800

Time for a COVID mental/emotional/physical temperature check, fam. In this episode, we bring back Minji's friend, actor/stuntman/health professional Josh Han. Last time we sat down on First Of All, Josh shared his diagnosis with a shocking kidney autoimmune disease and coming to terms with his body taking a turn for the worse at a young age. In this homie catch up, Josh and Minji take stock of the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects that are impacting their daily lives as COVID and general societal upheaval rages on. They talk about taking full responsibility of their bodies, minds, and souls while also accepting that there's sooo much that we just can't control. They also discuss the ways our feelings and emotions can deeply color our perceptions of reality, and even warp it to be something that it's not. Minji shares some helpful frameworks from therapy on "reality testing" and how she's learning to walk herself through moments of anxiety and pain. If you've been going through it like the rest of us have, this will hopefully serve as a reality check and a loving fist bump to keep fighting the good fight as we all level up.

This week's guest:

Josh Han (@thejoshhan)

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This episode features the song "Pretty Lies" from Run River North

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#121 - Stop Playing Small with Lauren DeVera

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 12:00:09 -0800

If you're like most people, you've dreamt of great things for yourself - a fantastic career, a loving relationship, hilarious & supportive friendships, a killer body, an overflowing bank account, the list goes on. Whether it's to have that thrill of success, obtaining the validation of another, or having security to provide for loved ones, our aspirations have motivated us in one form another. But sometimes we find ourselves not quite getting there, maybe even being pretty far from it. What gives? In this episode, Minji talks with her friend, movement teacher and wellness advocate Lauren DeVera about mindfulness and discovering how and why we play small. They share a very honest conversation about the habits and life experiences that have set certain belief systems in motion, playing a major role in feeding lifelong self-doubt, fear, and even some self-destructive behavior. By identifying some uncomfortable truths, and finding some acceptance and healing practices like movement (and not just yoga, we're talking busting out the old clubbing playlist, OKAYYY), they dive into how to work through things that keep us small to bring our boldest, truest, most fulfilled selves to reality.

This week's guest:

Lauren Devera (@thelaurendevera)

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This episode features the song "Pretty Lies" from Run River North

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#120 - Crash Landing On You + Fate with Joe Gunawan

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 12:00:10 -0800

After a 15 year hiatus, Minji reunites with Korean dramas. And it just so happens to be THE K-drama of 2020, the K-drama that ended up being a fun, romantic, heart-wrenching, harrowing rollercoaster serving as a safe haven for us all while the world has been a dumpster fire with Coronavirus. Of course we're talking about the global hit Crash Landing On You. :heart eyes: In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend & fellow film industry colleague, Joe Gunawan, to have a deeper discussion on the series - its themes, characters, storylines, cultural nuances, historical context, & personal impact. And fangirl & fanboy-ing. A lot. Don't worry, it's not just a bunch of squealing and gushing (though there is some of that, sorry not sorry). Minji dives into being at odds with her Korean identity and her motherland's culture for years, and how music and dramas have ironically been a means to alleviate that friction. Joe also reflects on the ways art and cinema have been a light during a very dark moment for so many. They also get into their attitudes on fate, destiny & the ways that some things can work out miraculously or what "meant to be" means to them. Joe also spills the tea on a new love he's found during quarantine and the ways life can imitate art in the most beautiful way. This episode is for everyone who doesn't care about spoilers and who also love Hyun Bin because he really is everything and we will fight you on that. :finger heart:

This week's guest:

Joe Gunawan (@JoeGunawan616)

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Music included in this episode is "Pretty Lies" from by Run River North

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#119 - Healing the Inner Child & Releasing the Past (Happy 3rd Anniversary First Of All!)

Sat, 18 Jul 2020 19:18:09 -0800

2020 has revealed many growth areas for us all. Though the current madness is pretty signature for this particularly crazy year, a lot of what's been coming up for folks includes issues from many years past. Lifelong insecurities, bad habits, intimacy issues, & unresolved trauma just to name a few. Thankfully, we're opening up much more honestly about mental health and the powerful ways we can begin to address and heal our underlying issues. In this episode, Minji shares her experience doing inner child work from a therapy session earlier this year. In a vulnerable moment of intense distress coping with a painful breakup, Minji reached out for help to go deeper than she'd ever gone before. She shares her thought process leading up to it, the hypnotherapy experience itself, and the powerful, life-changing aftermath since she took a chance to talk with her 7 year-old self. We are also celebrating our 3 year anniversary (and Minji's birthday) of First Of All with the release of episode 119! Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with us!! Cheers to much more growth, transformation and joy!

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Music included in this episode is "Pretty Lies" from by Run River North

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#118 - Intersecting All Our Identities with D'Lo

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 12:00:08 -0800

As more & more people are awakened to social justice issues & cultural nuances that have been long discussed & experienced in marginalized communities, there is definitely a learning curve as we deepen our understanding. To explore the complexity of intersectionality, Minji sits down with her friend, actor/comedian/writer D'Lo. As a queer, transgender Tamil-Sri Lankan-American creative force of nature, D'Lo has been working purposefully to analyze, unpack, advocate & create space for all parts of himself & the many communities he represents. Together they talk about the importance of recognizing the humanity in all individuals, the dangers that certain groups face in our current society, & the critical ways we can all level up as people to protect, uplift & advocate for one another.

This week's guest:

D'Lo @dlocokid

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Music included in this episode is "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#117 - Facing Addiction with Janice Ho

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 13:00:17 -0800

COVID has been a time for reflection and self-discovery for many of us. Whether it's contemplating career paths, the importance of certain relationships, or the way we cope with solitude, the pandemic has been a catalyst to evaluate parts of ourselves we may not have otherwise have slowed down to do. And while we have a ton of memes and public posts on new baking skills or our quarantine-hair-don't-care stance on beauty, there are other, deeper, experiences that are dealt with much more privately. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend Janice Ho to talk about mental health and addiction. Janice opens up about her struggle with alcohol and the way that quarantine ended up serving as a turning point for her relationship with it and herself. They unpack its cultural roots, the impact on relationships, the taboo, shame, guilt, and misunderstood science of what addiction really is. Together they hope that opening up about these personal experiences can create space for people to get the tools and help that they need.

This week's guest:

Janice Ho @janicehoimages

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Music included in this episode is "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#116 - Striving For Justice with Quoc To

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 13:00:22 -0800

The United States is going through a massive reckoning and a crucial awakening regarding racial injustice in the middle of a global pandemic. Suffice it to say, it can be overwhelming for many of those who have been bearing the brunt of the struggle for many years leading up to this particular moment. In another light, perhaps they've also been primed to be stalwart leaders and eye-opening educators to help uphold the rest of us who are playing major catch up to assist in the work. In this episode, Minji sits down with her former Public Health co-worker and now public defender Quoc To. Quoc is a Sacramento trial lawyer with a tremendous heart for social justice and a unique perspective as a Vietnamese refugee who grew up as a minority in the complex racial American landscape. His clients come from a range of backgrounds and varying levels of privilege or disenfranchisement. Quoc walks Minji through his work going to defend the defenseless and vulnerable in the criminal justice system. He reflects on the significance of this moment and the many layers of history, policy, and cultural influence that has brought us here. Together they unpack their personal biases, their resolve to do what they can, some strategic ideas of impact, and how to show up in their respective ways in the fight for justice.

This week's guest:

Quoc To

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Music included in this episode is "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#115 - Love & Dating In the Time of COVID with Julie & Yue (Dateable Podcast)

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 13:00:08 -0800

Well these past three months have been a blast, right guys? Quarantined, isolated, stressed, & socially distanced...it's the perfect time to find love & experience romance! Seriously though, all of us are learning to connect & relate to one another in new ways that could truly redefine all our relationships moving forward. And funnily enough, there could be some interesting pros to the dating & relationship scene as a result of Coronavirus. To discuss the many ways this pandemic has impacted our interactions with potential SO's, temporary distractions, existing long-term partners, & ourselves, Minji sits down with Dateable Podcast co-hosts Julie Krafchick & Yue Xu. With their extensive backgrounds unpacking everything from first dates to fetishes on their channel, Julie & Yue are no strangers to navigating the nitty gritty of sex & dating with their guests. The three of them share their own COVID experiences & perspectives on dating apps, virtual dates, reconnecting with exes, coping with current relationships & projections of the TBD future of dating culture.

This week's guest:

Julie Krafchick
Yue Xu
Check Out the Dateable Podcast at: @dateablepodcast or dateablepodcast.com

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Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina & "I forgive you, I’m sorry" by Jennifer Chung

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#114 - Black Lives Matter with Neka Wright

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 23:43:44 -0800

Once more for the people in the back: BLACK LIVES MATTER. Periodt. The collective social upheaval that has taken over the US & spreading across the globe has been timely, empowering, liberating, gut-wrenching, costly, and eye-opening for so many of us. After witnessing the inhumane death of George Floyd in MN to the silence around Breonna Taylor's murder in KY, all in short succession after Amy Cooper's shameful Karen actions in NYC & Ahmaud Arbery's murder in GA within such a short period of time during this global pandemic, something has profoundly & (hopefully) irreversibly shifted. In this episode, Minji takes a moment to start one of many discussions on racism, anti-Blackness sentiments, & the Black Lives Matter movement with actress & writer Neka Wright. While it feels like there is too much to even start, we really must start somewhere. Neka walks us through her identity as a Black-Filipina woman, including her experiences becoming aware of her color upon coming to America as a military child, recognizing the compassion & problematic parts of her Asian family/community, & finally accepting herself in all her amazing glory. Together they unpack the complex conversations happening on & offline in their communities, the culture of silence, privilege, what it takes to be a decent (& then stellar) ally, plus strategies for long-term impact long after the protests die down. No one claims to have all the answers, but we call on each other & everyone out there to do our best to protect our Black community.

This week's guest:

Neka Marie (IG: @nekamarieactress)

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Music in this episode includes "I forgive you, I’m sorry" by Jennifer Chung

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#113 - Channeling Anger

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 23:17:30 -0800

Let's take a breath. It has already been extraordinarily rough for months because of COVID-19. And now, the pain of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless Black individuals who have been brutally and unjustly murdered due to racism and white supremacy is gripping the US and spreading to other parts of the world. So many are experiencing grief, fear, exhaustion, disillusionment... and so. much. anger. While the gravity of these tragedies and the shameful dysfunction of our culture, power dynamics, and justice systems deserve further analysis (as they most certainly will be), this episode is not to dive into all of that. This episode is address anger itself. Minji shares her evolving relationship with her lifelong anger (or her Korean rage), and how she has navigated understanding its root causes in her life as well as the destructive fallout she's experienced when it goes unchecked. She shares insights on how she has sifted through guilt, shame, and a helpless feeling of being out of control. Most importantly, she sheds light on how she's learning to accept, heal, and channel her anger to be a force of constructive change on the other side of its darkness. Let this be a time and space to work through our chaotic emotions as we reflect on the just, peaceful and safe world we so desperately want to create moving forward. #BlackLivesMatter

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Music in this episode includes "I forgive you, I’m sorry" by Jennifer Chung

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#112 - It Only Takes One with Kevin Nguyen

Thu, 28 May 2020 17:34:00 -0800

As we all continue to adjust to the new normal, there's one part that definitely deserves some light: dating. To start an ongoing investigation of how people are connecting with others while in quarantine & social distancing (because FOA listeners are being responsible, right? RIGHT???), Minji chats with former college counselor Kevin Nguyen. Kevin is a higher education professional at a liberal arts college who's currently working on his Ph.D. in Higher Education. And if that wasn't enough on his plate, he's also been conducting a ton of life research navigating the dating scene pre- & post-COVID lockdown. Together they unpack his journey of learning about who he is, how to cultivate respect & the value of finding a quality connection in the sea of potential prospects.

This week's guest:

Kevin Nguyen (@kevinknguyen)

Follow Minji on:

Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#111 - Stuck With You

Tue, 19 May 2020 12:00:20 -0800

In this episode, Minji lets you in on her secret practice that has been changing her life in a really beautiful way. In the midst of some super fun crippling self-doubt, insecurity, & loneliness, she was challenged to try something that sounded a bit strange but intriguing: singing a love song.. not to someone else, but to HERSELF. She had an important realization of the fact that no matter where she went or where she goes from here - romantic relationship, professional ambition, or creative endeavor - that she will always be there. She is her constant companion, her worst enemy, her annoying shadow.. or maybe her own best friend. By accepting the idea that life could be better if self-love was real & constant, she gave this suggestion a shot & had some profound results. And now she's here to challenge you to do the same. Because what even is life anymore? We're all out here venturing into the unknown, so.. why not go BOLDLY & LOVINGLY?

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Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Set Free" from by Travis Atreo

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#110 - Searching For Great Leadership with Andrew Chau (Boba Guys)

Fri, 08 May 2020 13:00:07 -0800

The importance of good leadership has never felt or been so significant. In a profoundly complicated and dire moment for humanity, we citizens of the world have had to lean on our various leaders to guide and decide much of our futures. We've seen more and more examples of the best and worst of them - those who lead by example with integrity, honesty, and vision, and those who attempt to dominate, manipulate, or simply avoid responsibility. It's in this moment of high stakes and intense reflection that we naturally take note of what good leadership actually looks like. To dive into this important topic, Minji invites back a FOA favorite, Boba Guys' co-founder Andrew Chau. As an entrepreneur, small business owner and advocate, Andrew shares her passion for understanding and sharing what good leaders are made of. Together they share stories of their own development, good decisions and bad, rising to many a difficult occasion, and their respective interpretations of what a quality leader is. Andrew reflects on speaking in front of Congress on behalf of all small business owners, and the two discuss the evolving state of Asian America's bamboo ceiling and internally conflicted narrative.

This week's guest:

Andrew Chau, Co-Founder of Boba Guys (@chaumeleon)

Follow Minji on:

Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#109 - Lessons Learned & #MeAt20 with Da Eun Kim (bamboo & glass podcast)

Fri, 01 May 2020 20:13:43 -0800

Graduation is just around the corner for many college students. In our previous normal, there'd be the standard nerves about what to do in the immediate future, anxiety about making career moves, attempting financial independence, figuring out what dating even means -_-, & wondering about big things down the line like marriage/family/location. But Toto/darlings, we are not in Kansas anymore. To say that we find ourselves in a new normal is the understatement of the century. And yet it's important to realize that this generation-defining moment is an epic challenge that can & will be overcome. In this episode, Minji sits down with Da Eun Kim, a young software developer turned filmmaker & co-host of bamboo & glass podcast, to share tough lessons learns while navigating her 20's. Everything from toxic boyfriends, identity crises, career risks, messy priorities, sociopolitical challenges, & questionable guidance from elders. Becoming an adult has never easy. Especially in this present moment, we hope these shared stories, questions, & strategies will help us all rise out of the chaos with a sense of purpose, humor, & above all, hope.

Follow Minji on:

Instagram: (@minjeezy)

Follow DaEun on:

Instagram: (@daeunkm)

Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Fire" from by Paul Dateh

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#108 - Let's Talk Self-Care & Self-Love with Jennifer Chung

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 21:00:11 -0800

You doing OK? While there's the current baseline COVID protocol - wash hands, keep your distance, etc. - how are we caring for all the (many) other hours that are our lives? Self-care & self-love are terms that were being used increasingly before the coronavirus ever came to be, & it's safe to say they're more applicable now than ever. How we assess, practice, & change our habits on a mental, emotional, & physical level have all come to the forefront of our daily lives. To discuss how this is all playing out in real time & where we'd like to go from here, Minji sits down with her friend Jennifer Chung. Jennifer is a talented singer-songwriter & entrepreneur residing in Atlanta, GA, who is working through the ups & downs of quarantine & also just being a 3D human being on the daily. They talk body issues from the mental state to changing diet & exercise, money, relationships, communication styles, loneliness, & much more.

Follow Minji on:

Instagram: (@minjeezy)

Follow Jennifer on:

Instagram: (@jenniferjchung)

Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Broke" from by Jennifer Chung feat. Joules

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#107 - We Can Be Heroes With Dr. Chen Fu

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 12:00:12 -0800

Hope you're all hanging in there, fam. In this episode, Minji sits down to chat with her friend, Dr. Chen Fu who is an attending physician at NYU Langone Medical Center in NYC. Besides having a beautiful voice and some impressive guitar skills that Minji witnessed at a Kollaboration Houston show many moons ago, Chen has tremendous brains and dedication that he pours into his role as a hospitalist. Even before his recent feature on Time.com sharing his experience being an Asian American doctor during this pandemic, Chen's commitment to his job in serving his patients was clear and absolute. He shares his thoughts on this unique defining moment for humanity as well as the beautiful ways everyday citizens are stepping up to be heroes in our darkest hours.

Follow Minji on:

Instagram: (@minjeezy)

Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#106 - Surviving & Doing the WORK with Ellie Lee

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 12:00:22 -0800

Oh hi there, financial instability, existential crises (not just one, but 50), isolation, loneliness & uncertainty! So great hanging out with you all day, every dang day with no clear indication of when all this stress may start to ease up. Hopefully you're not sitting in that headspace too much, but JUST IN CASE that you find yourself in a rough patch, we are here for you. You are not alone. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend, actor/host Ellie Lee, to unload & evaluate how to proceed through turmoil with sanity, purpose & dignity even when everything feels like it's falling apart. With two very turbulent lives leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have some real-life strategies & some hardcore inner work to fill you in on. You ready? From learning how to check our fear-based egos at the door to asking better questions to yield better results, it's time to get to work. Together, WE. WILL. GET. THROUGH. THIS.

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)

Follow Ellie Lee at:

Ellie Lee (@ellieyjee)

Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#105 - Assessing the Situation with Jaeki, JoJo & Michael ($6.99PerPound Podcast)

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 23:16:13 -0800

It's been a few days since we checked in, which equals many lifetimes in the era of the Rona. Everyone is finding their quarantine groove, managing their boredom, & preparing for the future as data & (mis)information comes in from the powers that be. In this episode, Minji checks in with her friends Jaeki, JoJo, & Michael from $6.99 Per Pound Podcast who are holding it down at COVID-19 Ground Zero in NYC. Together they share a frank conversation on the complex issues at play as humanity attempts to manage this global crisis: power abuse, data, politics, generational racism, apathy & our own personal interests. From losing friends & jobs to the cultural implications of Andrew Yang's recent op-ed, they discuss how they're processing all the changes with open eyes & heightened preparedness. Minji opens the episode with an extended intro on some helpful resources on PPE (personal protective equipment) & the importance of ALL Americans filling out the 2020 Census. We send all the love and light to NYC during their most difficult week as well as all the brave healthcare providers and frontline responders around the world who are battling this crisis. Take care of yourselves & each other, fam!

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)

Follow the $6.99 per Pound crew at:

Jaeki Cho (@jaekicho)
Joann Park (@jojoparque)
Michael Stewart (@mad.names)

Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#104 - Coping & Connecting with Wes Chan (Wong Fu Productions)

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 18:14:36 -0800

March was a looong year, right? How are you all hanging in there? Well, we are still in the thick of COVID-19 and responding to it in a lot of different ways as the day-months progress. In this episode, Minji gets to sit down for a virtual check-in conversation with her talented and thoughtful friend, filmmaker Wes Chan from Wong Fu Productions. As they provide support for one another (and everyone listening!) they share perspectives on lifestyle adjustments, realizations, and the silver linings in this difficult moment for humanity. Wes shares an unexpectedly savage clapback moment to the powers that be, and they get real on healthy distractions and how to stay connected or even build connections more intentionally while staying in safe isolation.

Follow Minji on:

Twitter (@minjeeeezy)

Follow Wes on:

Instagram (@thewesleychan)

Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

#103 - We're In This Together

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 22:09:20 -0800

OK fam, by now, we know the drill. Wash your hands, actually practice social distancing (no, don't go to your friend's house because it's less than 10 people. STOP IT. STAY HOME.), get your finances in order, & practice self-care. The dust is settling a smidge in this bizarre new normal, but who even knows what tomorrow will bring??? In this episode, Minji takes a moment to discuss her views on the current reality, fully aware that it could all be irrelevant in a matter of days. One issue that has been heavy on her mind and heart is the racism that Asians around the world, and definitely here at home in 'Merica, have been suffering in alarming numbers. She also speaks on varying approaches taken by global leadership and our responsibility to put the needs of our collective whole before our own. This episode features new music from Year Of The Ox with their new song "Viral" addressing the complexities of modern day bigotry and hate.

**Please be warned that if you're in a bad place and suffering from any mental or emotional exhaustion from COVID-19 discussions, take a breather and go watch The Office or Parks & Rec or maybe something Disney (for the love of God, stay away from Tiger King, we hear it may not be healthy for your soul).

Follow Minji on:

Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Viral" from by Year of the Ox

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#102 - Learning How To Be Alone

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 22:00:11 -0800

How's everyone's 2020 going? Last we checked, there's been a little bit of a world-changing health crisis going on. BUT no big deal, we just have to power through some prolonged isolation & widespread instability & whatnot, but this is fine.. we're fine.. right? In this episode of First Of All, Minji sits down (in her safe self-quarantined recording studio/closet) to reflect on the state of the new COVID-19 world & some timely advice on how to adjust to being alone & being good with it. While we figure out how to navigate this new normal & the temporary circumstances of social distancing, financial uncertainty, & negative energy from a very scared society, it's helpful to remind ourselves that THERE IS STILL HOPE! In times of crisis & change, our alone time can provide some real opportunities to reset our mindsets, habits & values to level up as individuals & a greater whole. Let this episode be a safe place for you to address your fears & make a gameplan to get through tough moments with grace, grit & gratitude. Everything's going to be OK.

Follow Minji on:

Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#101 - Handling the Highs & Lows with AJ Rafael

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 23:05:47 -0800

Life, amirite? It's nothing we can't handle, we know this. But sometimes it's like we're really just getting pushed to the edge of our limits. And circumstances arise that make us feel like the Universe is just trolling us. In this episode of First Of All, Minji sits down with her good friend & magnificent singer-songwriter AJ Rafael about his life & his take on navigating its twists & turns. As they first set out to have AJ spill all the tea on what life is like as a famous influencer & YouTuber, they come upon a much deeper & relatable journey of facing uncertainty and overcoming hardship in various forms. He opens up about everything from juggling very personal losses on a public forum to the instability of a passion-driven career path. Together, he & Minji dive into what's at stake by being vulnerable with others & how to find inner strength & hope even when the light at the end of the tunnel feels dim.

Follow Minji on:

Follow AJ on:

Instagram (@ajrafael)

Our theme songs are "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Like Me" by AJ Rafael

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

EPISODE 100 - TIME TO FLY

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 18:00:01 -0800

She's not sure how, but Minji has reached episode ONE-FREAKING-HUNDRED of First Of All. In this milestone episode, she shares some recent groundbreaking experiences that have set a new foundation for the future. She also shares lessons learned from the process of creating this channel, and some encouragement for anyone who is out there trying to find their voice as well. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to everyone who has been a part of this journey - listeners, guests, supporters, Patreon patrons, donors, good vibe senders - you are amazing!!! Cheers to another 100 episodes!

Follow Minji on:

Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "Uzutrap" from by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#99 - F*ck Your Feelings & Just Do It with Chris King Wong

Sat, 22 Feb 2020 00:06:29 -0800

OK, here us out. Feelings are important - they're our constant companions and can be a powerful compass and a helpful guide through crazy twists and turns of life. But let's be 100% real, sometimes...they're not the best advisor or the proper captain. When our feelings single-handedly run the show, we can end up in more trouble than needed. We make bad decisions out of fear, confusion, naivete, or bitterness. That's because, at the end of the day, we're all equally prone to being mushy bags of childhood trauma, insecurities, and straight up laziness. So what's a person to do? In this episode Minji sits down with her roommate and friend Chris King Wong who has a refreshing and entertaining zero tolerance approach to cutting the BS and getting things done, feelings be damned. Together they talk about looking at the bigger picture, whether that be relationships or career or lifestyle changes, and the importance of commitment, thoughtful execution, and consistent follow through. If you're a regular human being like all of us at First Of All, that concept is much easier said than done. But at some point we need to hear it and just make things happen. You got this!

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Instagram (@chriskingwong)

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#98 - Singles Awareness Day <3

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 19:36:03 -0800

OK, we at First Of All just found out that Single Awareness Day is February 15th. Consider this your dating PSA for future reference. But also, Happy Valentine's Day loves! While it's a beautiful holiday to celebrate all the couples and their flourishing romantic love (and give Hallmark/Flowers.com 1/3 of their annual income), for others it can be a tough one filled with feelings of loneliness, pain, and/or just not feeling good enough. In this episode, Minji shares some of her thoughts on her new chapter of being single and a developing self-love practitioner. We just want to love on you whether you're newly single, can't remember your last relationship or if you've never had one. At every stage, learning how to accept and navigate our honest emotions and fill our own cup is one of the most important acts of love we can do. XOXO @}--}------

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Music in this episode includes "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina and "We Could Happen" by AJ Rafael

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#97 - Pivoting & Owning Your Choices with Janet Wang (Asian Boss Girl)

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 20:00:01 -0800

We all know that things rarely go as planned. But how do you deal with changes that happen unexpectedly, or even when you decide that the road you're on is no longer for you? Besides internally coming to terms with your own change of heart, or maybe realizing that the thing you were pursuing is a mistake, there are many other forces at play - outside opinions, expectations, disappointments, & more. All in all, in can be incredibly overwhelming. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend Janet Wang, a fellow podcaster from the amazing Asian Boss Girl Podcast, to talk about navigating the twists, turns, hard stops, & false starts that inevitably happen in all of our lives. With Janet's unique career path and evolving sense of self built through different moves and relationships, she shares her insights on how to navigate our turbulence with thoughtfulness and acceptance. Together they share their respective lessons and advice from learning how to truly accept that no one can walk your road except for you, AND that you can connect your wayward dots in a way that's real and fulfilling.

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#96 - Asian Masculinity with Mike Bow

Sat, 01 Feb 2020 05:55:58 -0800

Before diversity and inclusion was ever a trendy topic to back on social media, discussions surrounding what representation really does to a person's sense of identity have been going strong for ages. One of the more underdiscussed and misunderstood conversations is around Asian men and their desirability. Whether created out of jealousy or malice (or both), Hollywood has had a history of spurning on stereotypes of Asian men as weak & asexual while hypersexualizing & fetishizing Asian women. Fast forward to 2020, we see how much things have changed onscreen, but how has everything leading up to now played out across generations? How have these depictions gone on to influence young men & women IRL when it comes to their self-image & to their relationships? To discuss this, Minji sits down with her friend, actor Mike Bow, to unpack some of their perspectives. Mike shares his journey in pursuing a less traditional path as an actor & how his own self-image & the image put upon him by others has shaped it all.

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#95 - Taking Responsibility - Hello 2020

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 20:45:07 -0800

2020 has begun & we don't know about you all, but it's been a LOT to handle from the get go. However, it's a new YEAR, a new DECADE, and right now it's all about TAKING RADICAL RESPONSIBILITY. As we all reboot our energy, our minds, hearts, & hustles, there is no time better than now to take a good hard look at where we're currently at in life & learn how to deal with uncomfortable changes, painful awakenings, & ugly truths we might have been avoiding for too long. Minji shares about a new chapter in her life & some hard lessons that may just be the gateway to a happier, healthier & more purposeful future.

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#94 - Surviving A Moment of Chaos

Sat, 21 Dec 2019 17:37:40 -0800

Things can go wrong and they usually will. As prepared or as positive and optimistic as anyone can be with a professional project, what do you do when plans just fall apart? What do you do when stakes are high, technical difficulties come at you one after another, key players fall through, budgets get strained, relationships get rocky, and your frazzled team is counting on you to help pull through the chaos? In this episode, Minji shares some key lessons learned from over a decade of producing live events, project management, & leading teams of people. After a particularly challenging Kollaboration production wrapped, she provides a debrief of how to plan, execute & stay flexible when things don't turn out the way you expected. And how even in the middle of stressful situations, you can find a way to power through it and gain valuable insight on how to become wiser, savvier, and more effective moving forward. What does not kill us makes us stronger, yall.

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#93 - Evolution of Love Languages with the BF Kenji Tsukamoto

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 00:34:40 -0800

The Five Love Languages book was originally published back in '92, but its theories have become a widely analyzed & applied framework to understand how us weirdo human beings give & receive love. Whether we're talking about romance, family, friendships, or even co-workers, we all show affection & feel appreciated in very different ways. The love language paradigm has opened up conversations between partners & friends, but maybe most importantly, within ourselves to self-identify our own tendencies & preferences. Ideally these assessments could help lead us to more fulfillment & understanding rather than resentment, exhaustion, or feeling like we're better off living alone on a remote island with an inanimate object for a partner. Minji sits down for an honest conversation with her boyfriend Kenji about their love languages & how they exist IRL on a day to day basis. How does it impact their perspectives, how does it impact fights & days when everything feels off? How have they changed over time? How can one make the conscious choice to speak someone's language in order to better care for them? Hold onto your hats & get ready for a deep dive on words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service, & quality time.

This week's guest:

Kenji Tsukamoto

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#92 - Through the Dark Times with Edward Hong

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 14:00:06 -0800

The mental health conversation has opened up so much more in recent years & we are here for it. Still, the process of opening up about our innermost struggles whether with a trusted friend in private, or say, on a podcast, can be a daunting task. When it comes to being honest about inner demons & bouts of hopelessness, sometimes the biggest challenge can be being real with ourselves first & foremost. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend & fellow actor Edward Hong. He opens up about his journey country (and culture)-hopping around the globe from a young age. With a number of unique challenges being othered & bullied on a daily basis, to a very difficult relationship with his father, Edward shares his process of dealing with anger & mental exhaustion through different coping mechanisms including arts, friends, & even school faculty who helped channel & address larger issues. Together they also discuss pop culture takes on violence, revenge & survival.

Disclaimer: this episode deals with heavy themes & potentially triggering topics. Please be mindful of this & take care of yourself. These personal stories that are meant to connect & help provide hope for those who are struggling.

This week's guest:

Edward Hong (@CinnabonMonster)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced and edited by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#91 - We're All Just Flesh & Bones with Josh Han

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 14:00:08 -0800

For those of us who are blessed to go through life relatively healthy can easily take our ease of well-being for granted. We feel strong, we can skimp on sleep, eat whatever we want, live without much pain or physical limitations. But what happens when your body starts to show signs that it is not fact invincible?/? How do we deal with the mental, emotional, & (duh) physical challenges of getting back into good health? Or maybe accepting a whole new state of being? In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend, actor & stuntman Josh Han. Josh shares his story of dealing with an autoimmune disease that he was diagnosed with at 21, & the painful unforeseen path he found himself on right in the middle of dating, working & chasing his dream/side hustle. They discuss how they've dealt with their bodies shutting down over time & what they do to better take care of themselves.

This week's guest:

Josh Han (@TheJoshHan)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced and edited by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#90 - In Pursuit of Body Positivity with Regina Fang (Perfectly Imperfect)

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 14:00:08 -0800

Body issues, amirite? Learning to find love or even a tolerable acceptance of your body as it is can be a lifelong challenge. In an age where we’re more openly talking about body positivity & self-love, HOW DOES ONE ACTUALLY LIVE IT IRL??? Asking for a friend. In this incredibly personal episode of FOA, Minji sits down with Regina Fang from Perfectly Imperfect Podcast to spill the tea on how they truly & honestly inhabit the skin they’re in. We’re talking about obsessive jealousy to low-key body dysmorphia, cultural shaming, & more. They discuss the consequences of old habits & strategic brain hacking & how they’ve made progress in the real honest to goodness self-love thing.

This week's guest:

Regina Fang (@REGINAFANG)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#89 - Starting Over with Kelly Nickels

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 13:00:12 -0800

We’re all in transition from one thing to another, but sometimes bigger changes take hold of us. Whether it’s leaving a job, moving to a new city, letting go of a loved one, starting over is HARD. The self-doubt, the loss, the complete & utter uncharted territory…yeah, it can be a lot. In this week’s episode, Minji sits down with her friend & roommate Kelly, a young woman smack in the middle of taking ownership of her life after a separation & navigating a rediscovery of herself as an individual. Together they walk through the process of making tough decisions & coping with the outcomes - good, bad, surprising, overwhelming & everything in between. Turns out it’s never too late to start over, take the good with the bad, & make conscious choices on how your life will go from here on out while embracing the unknown.

This week's guest:

Kelly Nickels (IG: @kelly_nickels)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#88 - Navigating Freelancing & Side Hustling (Part 1 of MANY)

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 13:00:08 -0800

Maybe you're sick of working your 9-5. Maybe you have a brilliant business idea that you're dabbling in on the side that could make you the next Elon Musk. Maybe you're dying to jump ship from corporate life & become a performance artist. You could make films (or a podcast!), start a YouTube channel, or manufacture adorable plushies from your apartment to sell on Etsy after your regular work hours. Perhaps you could become a highly paid consultant who works & also writes the next great American novel from a laptop in Rome. The world of side hustle & freelancing is vast & it has reached a new level of possibility & desirability. But what is it really like & what kinds of challenges does this lifestyle entail? In this introductory episode, Minji shares her journey of pursuing a medical career to working a corporate job while chasing her dreams of working in entertainment on the side & eventually full time. She shares the harsh realities & lessons learned, from surviving the financial instability & scarcity of time to managing relationships & crucial administrative logistics. If you've got stars in your eyes, we're here to help them shine even brighter while also keeping your feet on the ground.

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#87 - Everything's Going To Be OK

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 16:00:01 -0800

In this solo episode, Minji shares updates on her first live event with Perfectly Imperfect Podcast & AsianBossGirl: Off The Mic, some transformational lessons learned throughout the process, and exciting announcements for FOA. She also reflects on where she's at since she lost one of her best friends one year ago, & her ongoing thoughts on weathering life's toughest storms. Sending the FOA audience light & love.

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#86 - Unpacking Toxic Femininity with Jennii Vo Le

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 13:00:24 -0800

Toxic masculinity has had it's moment in the intense UV-ray beaming sun. We'd like to talk about a lesser discussed topic: toxic femininity. Some people argue strongly that it's not actually a thing, & that conversation gets intense real quick. In this episode, we sit down to at least entertain this real concept & discuss how it can impact our identities no matter what gender we align with. Minji sits down with her friend Jennii Vo Le to walk through the masculine & feminine energies, & how we all have both within us no matter what our identification. This is a deep dive on the narrow & repressive description of womanhood or feminine traits, plus the problematic consequences of it all - confusion, anger, & acceptance of rampant violence & oppression. Get your tea, cold compress & inhaler ready, everyone.

This week's guest:

Jennii Vo Le (IG: @j8nnii)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#85 - I'm Sorry You Feel That Way - How To Apologize For Real with Kevyn Fong

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 13:00:14 -0800

So you messed up. You made a big mistake, maybe even hurt someone, & now you just need to apologize. Simple right? Not usually. If you're a normal human being, communicating a sincere apology can be anxiety-inducing, annoying, embarrassing, or just downright terrifying. And even on the receiving end, there's laundry list of non-apologies that people love to throw around, like the super common "I'm sorry you feel that way" or "that wasn't my intention." How does one actually give an apology, and also, why is it so hard? To dive into this layered topic, Minji sits down with her friend Kevyn Fong to share their perspectives, experiences, & advice on becoming a better human who can own up to their mistakes. They talk everything from public professional flubs (HI, SHANE GILLIS), minor friendship/dating infractions, & healing fights with loved ones.

This week's guest:

Kevyn Fong (IG: @level4alpha)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#84 - Staying True To Yourself with James Han aka UZUHAN

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 13:27:20 -0800

With heavy expectations from family & friends, changing trends, & constantly shifting priorities, how do we handle that lofty ideal of "staying true to yourself"? What does that even mean? The process of growing as a person definitely involves asking some tough questions and making big choices about our time, energy & responsibilities. To unpack this, Minji sits down with her friend, rapper James Han aka UZUHAN during a visit to LA. From shifting career focuses to leaving the nest & moving to Atlanta as a Korean American artist & a strong man of faith, James knows the challenges of accepting who he is when everyone is ready to put him in a box or measure him by certain (sometimes whack) expectations. From rocking his own personal style, hustling to pay the bills, defining what it means to be a man & pursuing/marrying the woman of his dreams, James's story is so relatable to anyone who's learning how to love themselves while being a work in progress

This week's guest:

James Han aka Uzuhan (@uzuhanmusic)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

This episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#83 - Bridging Cultures with Andrew Chau (Boba Guys)

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 18:39:38 -0800

In this week's episode, Minji sits down with Boba Guys co-founder Andrew Chau for a deep dive on the elements that contribute to culture and how we continue to shape it. Even before he became half of the dynamic duo that made Taiwanese tapioca pearls and milk tea mainstream, Andrew has been fascinated by how things work, how people interact and what makes us tick. He talks about riding bikes in the Jersey suburbs , celebrating college graduation at the restaurant where his parents met as immigrant workers and actualizing his dad's refugee dream to pursue whatever he wanted. Together they discuss how our unique journeys, values & habits translate into the work we do, which is why his own business is driven by a mission statement to bridge culture. This conversation is better than (OK, just as valuable as) any MBA course of how to take an idea into reality and how to connect it to the world around you.

This week's guest:

Andrew Chau, Co-Founder of Boba Guys (@chaumeleon)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#82 - Let's Talk About Sex with Melody Cheng (Asian Boss Girl)

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 18:00:31 -0800

Did you or anyone EVER actually have "the talk" with their parents? How did you learn what sex was? SexED? Movies + TV? When/how did you discover porn? How did it effect your attitude as a grown up? Sex is a huge driving force and one prolonged mystery to many of us out there. Some people have been wildly fortunate to have nurturing, mature elders who provide a safe entry into the world of intimacy and carnal knowledge, while the rest...were left to our own devices. In this episode, Minji sits down with Mel Cheng from the amazing Asian Boss Girl Podcast to start unpacking this doozy of a topic. Together they share their experiences learning about what sex is and how to become a healthy and mature sexual human being. Whether it's about the mechanics, the psychology, or the deeply emotional parts of sex, we are all figuring this out yall. Grab a drink or a fluffy pillow, and let's talk.

Exciting announcement: Asian Boss Girl + Perfectly Imperfect + First Of All podcasts will be collaborating for an exciting full day event called Off the Mic at Ethos Society in Los Angeles on 10/5/19! Get details on IG (links are in the bio)!

This week's guest:

Melody Cheng from Asian Boss Girl (IG: @asianbossgirl)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#81 - Getting Bodied & Balanced with Autumn Bates

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 13:00:14 -0800

We’ve talked a lot about how we’ve been doing mentally, spiritually, & emotionally, but what about our BODIES? How do self-care & mental health incorporate physical fitness, daily habits & diet? SO GLAD YOU ASKED! In this week’s episode fo First Of All, Minji sits down with Clinical Nutritionist & YouTube host Autumn Bates to talk about wellness from a holistic & physical standpoint. For some people, researching fitness regimens, understanding our dietary needs, or learning our basic hormonal/chemical reactions can be daunting. For some people, it can be a passion & an ongoing journey of growth & education. But all in all, it is such a fundamental part of our daily lives. In addition to the fun scientific stuff, Autumn & Minji also discuss career paths, relationships, & ways that fitness & wellness interplay with our lives as a whole. With Autumn’s expertise of breaking down the clinical into simple & relatable, this conversation is an honest & helpful way to look how to tweak our mindsets & our behaviors to work, rest, look & feel better.

This week's guest:

Autumn Bates (IG: autumnelle_nutrition)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#80 - Overcoming Drama & Building Resilience w/ Megan Lee

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 11:00:04 -0800

Whether it's burnout, tragedy, or just a temporary setback in life, it can feel hard or even impossible to bounce back & carry on. In the middle of chaos or our darkest moments, we can feel tired or lost or just plain helpless. How do you see the light at the end of the tunnel? How to pull yourself up and keep moving forward? In this episode, Minji sits down with her amazing friend, actor & singer-songwriter Megan Lee to talk about finding inner strength & embracing our ability to be RESILIENT beyond what we ever believed. Together they talk through some of their dark moments as professionals, as women, as a family member & as a friend. They discuss how they powered through each moment to finally get to a better place & built upon past experiences. In a global culture that glorifies being "strong" & "powerful", it's good to remember that that can come in all forms - like asking for help, setting clear boundaries, or learning how to care for yourself in quiet moments on a daily basis.

Megan Lee (@hellomeganlee)

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#79 - Chasing Dreams & Staying Sane with JoonLeeComedy

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 13:00:03 -0800

DREAM BIG, they say. GO BIG OR GO HOME, they say. We are here for ALL of it....but it also helps to know what it’s really like for people like us who are actually doing all of the above. Actualizing a grand vision, a lifelong dream, or ambitious goal looks different for everyone, but there are universally shared experiences and feelings that anyone can learn from. In this episode of First Of All, Minji catches up with her dear friend, comedian/host/actor Joon Lee from JoonLeeComedy, as he dives into his brand new life in LA. The last time they spoke in Atlanta back in 2018, Joon shared his aspirations of pursuing comedy & acting full-time. Now the wheels are in motion, and he’s taken the plunge to come to Hollywood. Together they talk about his journey going from church plays, experiencing college & corporate life, going viral on Instagram, & learning what it really takes to make it in the biz. They discuss the challenges of staying motivated, disciplined, & committed to professional growth while also having space to figure things out as a person. For everyone in pursuit of something bigger, we understand and we got your back.

This week's guest:

Joon Lee (@joonleecomedy)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#78 - Difficult Conversations w/ Byron James

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 20:31:01 -0800

It's safe to say that no one likes confrontation. It's uncomfortable, it's scary, it's awkward, & you don't know what the results are going to be. Whether you're talking with a significant other, a boss, your congressional representative, or yourSELF, being 100% open, honest, mature, & constructive with someone else when you're defensive, fearful, or just plain angry can feel like it's just near impossible. So instead of talking it out.. maybe you procrastinate, maybe you play the blame game, or maybe you just run away completely & call it a day. This week, Minji sits down with her friend, actor/writer Byron James, to go through some key moments in their lives when difficult conversations were unavoidable but monumentally important in their careers & relationships. They talk about taking responsibility, taking in different perspectives, learning how to actually listen to others, & how those lessons continue to apply to every situation & every relationship they have. Big changes, even massive societal shifts involving culture, religion & race, can come from small actions that we take everyday. So let's sit down & talk this out fam.

This week's guest:

Byron James (IG: coco_gold7)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#77 - Self-Awareness & Dating w/ Slim

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 13:00:16 -0800

We’ve been on a mental & emotional deep diving streak here on First Of All, & this time we’re back on one of our fav topics: DATING. There’s so much from our previous episodes that come into play in this murky, beautiful, maddening world of chemistry & courtship - love, anxiety, stress, self-discovery, the list goes on. Minji invites Steve Lim aka Slim back to FOA to get updates on his dating life since he last sat down to talk about getting into the world of dating apps. If you’ve struggled with ghosting, rejecting & rejection, coming up with first date ideas (or tolerating really bad ones), problematic gender rules & evolving social expectations, all while truly trying to figure yourself out, we are here for you. This definitely ain’t an easy road, but at least we have each other, right?

This week's guest:

Slim

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Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#76 - Transitioning & Networking w/ Traci Lee

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 13:00:19 -0800

So you took a chance, made a change, & broke away (thanks, Kelly Clarkson) from a past version of yourself - your career, a relationship, a city. And now you’ll spread your wings & learn how to fly, right? Eh.. maybe after an identity crisis, sleepless nights & poorly timed shopping spree or three. On this episode of First Of All, Minji sits down with Traci Lee, a journalist & former Digital Editorial Manager of NBC Asian America. Together they talk through Traci’s recent decision to leave her job, & a huge part of her life’s work, as she moves on to explore the great unknown & write the next chapter of her life. They discuss the doubts, fears, a-ha moments, failures, & courage that comes with major life changes. They also share some tips on everyone’s most dreaded professional activity - NETWORKING. Seriously, how DO you make small talk with an absolute stranger or pitch yourself at an event without looking like a thirsty, idiotic weirdo? Beats us, but they’ve got a couple how-to pearls of wisdom to help carry you through your next happy hour. Godspeed.

This week's guest:

Traci G. Lee - @traciglee

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Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#75 - Embracing Change w/ Dante Basco

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 21:00:03 -0800

Change is inevitable. It can also mean reinvention. Every person is on their own journey with their own timelines, goals, challenges, failures & wins. What happens when you reach a goal & it's as amazing (or not) as you thought, then what? What about addressing new priorities, or life events that prompt unexpected realizations about your career, your love life, your purpose, or all of the above? In this episode of First Of All, Minji sits down with actor, producer & poet Dante Basco. From his early days as a b-boy dancer with his brothers to working with Spielberg playing Rufio in Hook as a teenager to a new career wave as Prince Zuko in Avatar: Last Airbender to poetry & producing films, Dante knows a thing or five about learning how to navigate change. Whether you're 15 or 50, it's the most constant part of life that we all can use help in embracing. We can also learn how to take ownership, define our purpose, & have a little fun while we're doing it. Bangarang!

This week's guest:

Dante Basco - @dantebasco

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Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#74 Leading Your Life & Silencing Saboteurs w/ Nicki Sun

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 13:00:00 -0800

In every phase of our lives, the challenges continue to change but one thing stays the same - we are the captains of our ship & the leaders of our own lives. Some people may have additional titles like manager, director, CEO, or mom/dad, but the concept of leadership can be applied to every one of us as we each walk our individual paths. In this episode of First Of All, Minji sits down with host & filmmaker Nicki Sun to unpack how this has applied to her unique path as an entrepreneur, daughter, friend, creator & woman. She shares her thoughts on a rapidly evolving career, her family values & struggles, plus the mentality that has shifted dramatically to newfound liberation in the past few months. After recently completing an inspiring values & leadership training, Minji & Nicki also dive into the differences of thoughts, beliefs, & dangerous saboteurs from the inner critic & how they plan to address them all.

This week's guest:

Nicki Sun - @NickiSun

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#73 - Love is Love is Love w/ Atsuko Okatsuka

Tue, 25 Jun 2019 12:00:00 -0800

Love is love is love...right? YES. And we are here for it. Also, if you are an Asian female who happens to be boo'd up with a white male, you might get an earful, a raised eyebrow, or some classic behind your back shade about it. In 2019, interracial dating/marriage is definitely not a new thing. For some, there are layers of bias, fear, & prejudice that still beg to be unpacked. In this episode, we start unpacking away with the brilliant & hilarious comedian Atsuko Okatsuka. We get to know Atsuko's unique background, and how her life as an undocumented Japanese-Taiwanese immigrant, a child of divorced parents, and a mother with schizophrenia led her to her two loves: comedy & her husband, Ryan. Atsuko and Minji get real with the different perceptions, privileges, & challenges that come along with their truly inspiring journey as a couple. We're talking televangelist in-laws, conservative politics, language barriers, problematic commentary & how to approach it all with love, honesty & humor.

This week's guest:

Atsuko Okatsuka - @AtsukoComedy

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

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Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#72 - Self-Discovery & Representation w/ Sherry Cola

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 18:00:00 -0800

It's PRIDE MONTH here & FOA is over the moon to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ friends & family!! The rainbows, the glitter, the dancing, we are LIVING FOR IT all! It's an important time to appreciate the beauty that this community brings to the world & also reflect on the work that lays ahead to achieve true equality, safety & respect. In this episode, Minji sits down with one of her favorite people in the world, comedian & actress Sherry Cola aka Lil Tasty &/or Alice from the hit show Good Trouble. In between all the laughter & horrific anecdotes of awkward adolescence, they dig through issues around invisibility & the strange process of discovering who you really are. It's a long, awkward, sometimes scary journey to accept your own identity & then go share that with the world, but we've got your back fam. Whether it's a parade or a one-on-one conversation with a parent or showing up to change policies, we can continue showing up for ourselves & for one another.

This week's guest:

Sherry Cola - @shrrycola

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

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Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#71 - Leveling Up w/ Miracle Mornings

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 12:00:00 -0800

Time for a heart to heart from Minji about anxiety & her thought process around building a career, maintaining good health & growing fulfilling relationships. All of these things feed into one another & many times feels like there are just too many balls in the air to juggle all at once. What do we do when the overwhelm becomes too much? How do we approach problems that feel like they’re too big or just impossible to solve? Minji finds one way to face the big unknown & level up as a grown woman by addressing the basics: her daily habits. In this episode, she shares a new practice of daily tasks to quiet the noise & create real practical habits that shape her mental well-being. And what’s crazy is watching it actually work. There’s light at the end of the tunnel, y’all.

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#70 - Unpacking Racism w/ Dushyant Asthana

Tue, 28 May 2019 12:00:00 -0800

Once upon a time in Spring 2019, Minji went to acting class & witnessed a casting exercise that went a little...racist...& then sexist. Long story short, Minji failed to keep her feelings to herself & called out her classmates in front of everyone. She may have written an angry Facebook post too. And in the following weeks, there were many feelings experienced & insightful conversations amongst the parties involved. To help her discuss the incident & the dynamic state of American culture around race, she turns to the classmate who experienced that moment with her, Dushyant Asthana. As an immigrant from India, actor, corporate professional & fashion designer, Dushyant shares his perspective on what went down. Together they peel back the underlying issues at play- like the pervasive psychology of minorities biting our tongues, actual white male privilege, allies, hashtag movements, & more. Despite the current default tendency of outrage & blame, they recognize the importance of changing habits & mindsets in the face of problematic behavior to help build spaces, careers, & societies rooted in respect & dignity.

This week's guest:

Dushyant Asthana - @dushyantasthana

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#69 - Serving Political Realness w/ Kavi Vu

Tue, 21 May 2019 12:00:00 -0800

Asian Americans historically suck at voting & are the least politically engaged out of all US minorities. But let's take a second and try to understand WHY, HOW, & WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. In loving honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we'd be remiss to acknowledge one of the very worst grades on our supposed model minority report card: civic engagement. Why is entering the political sphere so complicated & hard when it impacts the most fundamental aspects of our everyday lives? This issue, of course, spans far past race or ethnicity. And as we're in one of the most politically turbulent & culturally/environmentally critical moments in American history, there's a whole lot of intersectionality to address. To start unpacking this complex issue, Minji turns to her friend, Kavi Vu. Kavi is an Atlanta, GA-based writer, poet, and creator of "Wake Up Atlanta", which is a channel dedicated to increasing civic awareness & engagement. Their goal is to make politics accessible to the everyday person. Together they walk through the weeds of political imposter syndrome, media madness, cultural cues, partisan nonsense, & how to better work a system that in so many is not actually made to work for we the people. If you've been confused, frustrated, overwhelmed, & straight up exhausted by government & local politics, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. Let's work through this together, fam.

This week's guest:

Kavi Vu - @Wakeup_Atlanta

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#68 - Selfie Protocol & the State of Union w/ Ronny Chieng

Tue, 14 May 2019 12:00:00 -0800

Ronny Chieng is bold, real, & hilarious. End of description. Just kidding(ish). But really, do we need to say more? In this episode, Minji sits down with comedian & actor Ronny Chieng from The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Crazy Rich Asians, & International Student deep in the heart of NYC at the amazing Canal Street Radio. In between filming his show & doing a standup comedy tour, Ronny stops by to drop some knowledge on the art of reading a room, maneuvering out of a career in law, watching classic/meta romcoms, & bypassing online arguments through practicing martial arts. He may even have an enlightening thought or three on the current political climate. It's almost like he does it for a living or something.

This week's guest:

Ronny Chieng - @ronnychieng

Special thanks to Canal Street Radio and Listening Party for providing studio space & equipment

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#67 - East Coast Hustling w/ 6.99 Per Pound

Tue, 07 May 2019 12:00:00 -0800

First Of All wishes you all Happy Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! OK, so he West Coast vs East Coast conversation has been the source of many mainstream jokes, memes & rap songs throughout American pop culture. But what about the Asian American perspective? In this episode, Minji sits down with the insightful & hilarious hosts of the NYC-based 6.99 Per Pound Podcast, JoAnn Park & Jaeki Cho right in the heart of Manhattan at Great Big Story during the Tribeca Film Festival. Together they break down their upbringings from international moves to pop culture & neighborhood influences in slang, school, partying, careers & everything in between that shaped their unique Asian American experiences on opposite coasts.

This week's guest:

Special thanks to guest engineer Marcus Hahm and guest producers Julie Young & Michael Ken Strewart from $6.99 per Pound for their assistance in making this episode!

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#66 - Educating Generation Z & Getting Schooled w/ Emily Gao

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 15:00:00 -0800

Ever had that feeling that old folks are just like SO lame & out of touch & parents just don’t understand? Yeah, we haven’t either. But we’re told that in some parts of the world this sometimes happens. In this episode Minji sits down to talk to the young people (or at least a representative) since she is finally embracing that she no longer is one. She also thinks it might really helpful to connect with the future generation. You know, so they can save our planet, facilitate peace, & resolve centuries-old political foils. As a brave representative of those born after 1995, writer/podcaster/spoken word poet Emily Gao chats with Minji about what it’s like growing up in the crazy digital & socially complex world Generation Z has inherited. Together they share their fears, self-acknowledged privileges, & their strategies to deal with what’s ahead while appreciating the world left behind. (I.e. Emily correctly pronouces “cassettes” while Minji applauds & dies a little).

This week's guest:

Emily Gao @emilygao29

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#65 - KPop Scandals, Misogyny & More w/ Peter Kim

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 13:00:00 -0800

This episode goes deep into discussing the dark underbelly of the K-Pop world & Korean culture. In this episode, Minji calls upon the hilarious insight of comedian Peter Kim, host of the podcast "The Ajumma Show", to talk about the recent K-pop scandal involving celebrities, politicians, police, prostitution, rape, corruption, & all encompassing nastiness that runs rampant in the industry and culture. Together they go all in on their experiences growing up Korean American, dealing with that all too real K-rage & the impact of such horrific events making global headlines in the midst of the hallyu cultural phenomenon. Time to spill the soju spiked tea, everyone.

This week's guest:

Peter Kim @peterkz - The Ajumma Show

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#64 - Thoughts On Alcohol & Partying w/ Bryan Gosling

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 17:00:00 -0800

Whatever your preference - beer pong at a house party, shots in a club, or a glass of wine (or three) with friends over dinner, alcohol is the widely beloved social lubricant of the ages. But as much as Drake loves to sing about it, sometimes a more in-depth conversation on partying, drinking, & evolving social etiquette can help. For this doozy of a topic, Minji sits down with her friend, Bryan, the quintessential club promoter & partier. Together they walk through their introductions to alcohol & other substances, talking about their honest impressions about social settings, peer pressure from high school to adulthood, cultural nuances & some, um, questionable decisions they've made over the years.

This week's guest:

Bryan Gosling

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#63 - Defining Empowerment w/ Pam Ribon

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 13:00:00 -0800

"Empower" has become a word used regularly in speeches, mission statements, & personal goals. But it can mean something different depending on who you ask for a definition. In a preparation for Minji's 4th Kollaboration EMPOWER Creative Leadership Conference, she sits down to talk through it all with one of the incredible women who, in her eyes, embodies the word itself - tv/film writer, novelist, comic book writer & hilarious human being, Pamela Ribon. Buckle your seatbelts & get ready for an incredible journey through Pam's life & mind from moving all around some the most obscure & quizzical parts of the US, becoming a mother unexpectedly, writing for a couple small projects with Disney (Moana & Wreck It Ralph 2, thankyouverymuch), & using the Internet to address some very problematic sexism with Barbie in between it all. Hopefully by the end, you will understand Minji's appreciation of Pam's fire & maybe walk away a little empowered yourself.

This week's guest:

Pamela Ribon - @panelaribon

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#62 - Connecting the Dots w/ Andrew Ahn

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0800

As far as we can tell, there aren't that many people that can say they knew EXACTLY what their career would be early on, or had an easy time laying the groundwork to build it. For most of us regular folk, finding a career is much like a baby deer learning how to walk - it's awkward, entertaining, shaky, scary, & an inevitable part of the process. Or as we at First Of All like to call it, "the journey." How does a person take a mix of passion, interest, talent, timing, & good old-fashioned hard work, & produce a job that can pay the bills, keep our spirits inspired & our sanity intact? In this episode, Minji sits down with her dear friend & award-winning director Andrew Ahn. Together they take a look back at the many steps that brought them to their current places in life, & acknowledge the scattered but meaningful steps that brought them where they both believe they should be. Get ready from some practical advice, like student loan management & when to leave your day job for a passion career, plus some therapeutic soul-searching on anger, anxiety, & learning how to trust your gut.

This week's guest:

Andrew Ahn - @andrewahnfilms

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#61 - The (Seriously) Long Road to Therapy

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 14:00:00 -0800

Anyone else find it easy to give solid, loving, practical advice... & also be the worst at taking it, even (gasp) applying it in our actual lives?? A common struggle we all can face at some point is not taking action to improve our own lives, even when it's easy to dish out & implore (maybe even nag) others to just do as we say. Or maybe we're open to hearing advice, perhaps even resolving to make a change, but when it comes down to putting the wheels in motion, we freeze, we procrastinate, we make excuses, we "forget", we project.. or all of the above. On this solo episode, Minji shares the long, ironic road that led her to finally take her own advice & start therapy to address her growing bouts of anxiety & depression. She also shares how she's been since starting her sessions & what she's learned along the way. Being brutally honest with yourself & accepting responsibility can suck..& it could also be the key to actually moving forward & learning how to practice the self-love we truly need.

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#60 - First Impressions & the First Date w/ Kenji (V Day Special)

Fri, 15 Feb 2019 05:02:00 -0800

Who loves Valentine's Day?! XOXO <333 @}--}----- ..... Kenji & Minji don't. But the holiday does lend itself to a perfect podcast theme for all things dating and romance! So we're going to go ahead and celebrate that! Now, Kenji has already made multiple First Of All guest appearances to discuss long distance woes and how to navigate fights and rough patches while being in a relationship with our beloved host.. but how did all of it start??? In this special Valentine's Day episode, Minji and Kenji take a trip down memory lane to share their honest first impressions of each other from the moment they met years before their first date. They also share the long windy road of being random acquaintances out in Utah to becoming a committed couple. Every relationship has its own unique beginning, and theirs involves so many of the crazy, stupid, lovely things we celebrate and cringe about on this blasted day - risk, rejection, patience, persistence, openness, and so much more. Disclaimer: Minji was on flu medication while recording this episode, so please throw her a bone and some healing vibes. LOVE YALL, ENJOY!

This week's guest:

Kenji Tsukamoto

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#59 - Diving Into the Subconscious & Therapy w/ Panney Wei

Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:00:00 -0800

The self-care 2019 resolution is in full effect, yall. As a longtime advocate of self-care & mental health, Minji finally puts her money where her mouth is & starts her transformational journey getting therapy with her friend & certified hypnotherapist, Panney Wei. Together they discuss Panney's evolution in finding her calling to become a mental health provider after multiple careers as a star athlete, film producer, & entertainment professional. They peel back the layers about stigmas on asking for help, the reality of our subconscious minds, true self-actualization & how they deal with juggling all of it (plus much more) with integrity, honesty, & perseverance.

This week's guest:

Panney Wei (www.panneywei.com)

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Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#58 - Mean Girls w/ Christine Chen

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 14:00:00 -0800

Minji sits down with her friend, producer, "Perfectly Imperfect" podcast host & life coach Christine Chen to talk about a much discussed and often difficult to understand reality of "mean girls" - being one, dealing with one (or many), and some of the underlying layers that feed into problematic female relationships. In the age of #MeToo and #TimesUp, these elder millennials go down the rabbit hole of bullying, low self-esteem, professional obstacles and sexualization of women, and how it results in women who hurt other women. They get real with how they've struggled to see women as friends and allies, and even how seeing themselves being "one of the guys" has changed over the years. They share their thoughts on feminism, and how to process all of it as they work towards creating a drama-free and supportive space for friendship, and dare we say it?, sisterhood.

This week's guest:

Christine Chen (@christinechen4)

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Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#57 - The Nice Guy Episode w/ Nice Guy Scott

Fri, 04 Jan 2019 02:00:00 -0800

Do nice guys really finish last? And um, when & why did being "nice" become such a loaded, problematic thing? What's the baggage of this word & are we just giving it grief for no good reason? WHO WILL DEFEND THE NICE GUYS?? In this inaugural 2019 episode, Minji sits down with her friend Scott to unpackage all this & more. It's time to dive in deep with some funny anecdotes, painfully hard lessons learned, & of course, some very real talk from many perspectives. Welcome to 2019 on First Of All!

This week's guest:

Scott Sayasithsena (@a_sayasithsena)

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#56 - Keep On Keeping On w/ Producer Schmarv

Sat, 29 Dec 2018 17:00:00 -0800

The man, the myth, the legend - Producer Marvin joins Minji for the first time on First of All. After 5 years of working together for the Asian American grassroots organization Kollaboration, 180+ episodes of co-hosting KollabCast podcast, launching First Of All & multiple years of nagging, venting, regrouping, & apologizing...Marvin & Minji are pretty familiar with powering through hard times. In this episode, they reflect on how they've handled getting through tough times, with themselves as individuals & with one another as colleagues & friends. Sidebar: Marvin shares one or two (or five) anecdotes of Minji's meltdowns, so suffice it to say it's an entertaining journey. Hope you all close out the year on a strong & positive note!

This week's guest:

Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#55 - Don't Kill My Vibe w/ Kevyn Fong

Fri, 21 Dec 2018 18:46:00 -0800

HEY GUYS, it's that time of year again. 2018 is rapidly coming to a close & it's time to reflect, plan, & strategize execution of the most INCREDIBLE, FULFILLING, & ABUNDANT YEARS OF OUR LIVES Y'ALL. You know, to counteract whatever stressful, debilitating, anxiety-inducing nonsense this year may have caused you to lose hope in humanity or.. just simply killed your vibe. Whatever it may be, Minji is with you. Seriously. And figuring out how to protect your energy with good vibes & constructive habits is what we're here to discuss. In this episode, Minji brings back her AMAZING friend & talent manager KEVYN FONG to do what they do best - spill the tea (literally/figuratively) & Marie Kondo deep clean their hearts in preparation for 2019. Together they share what they're leaving behind as they move forward into the new year with more clarity, compassion, self-care, & habits. We're talking mind, body, money & so much more. Happy Holidays First Of All fam!!

This week's guest:

Kevyn Fong (IG: @level4alpha)

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#54 - The Geisha Incident

Fri, 14 Dec 2018 18:45:00 -0800

On this solo episode, Minji recounts a recent racially-charged incident in her growing acting career - getting asked for "geisha" photos from a prospective Hollywood manager. As a millennial woman of color who has participated in the growing outrage culture around her, Minji is faced with an important and uncomfortable choice. She must decide how to address this triggering request with integrity, courage, while also not ruining her career that's just getting started.

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Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#53 - Into the Wilderness of Cuffing Season & Dating (One Year Later) w/ Jess Ju

Thu, 29 Nov 2018 17:18:00 -0800

The last time Minji invited Her Royal Empress Ratchet & Captain of #TeamExtra Jess Ju on this podcast for Episode 12, they dove head first into their experiences with online dating. In an in-depth analysis of favorite dating platforms, unsolicited dick pics, unique criteria for swiping right, & implementing questionable boundaries, they explored, celebrated, & lamented the untethered single life. Now one year later, they both find themselves in serious relationships. Ohhhh how the tables have turned.. Tune in for an equally entertaining conversation on how Jess went from fling to ring (at least talking about it) within weeks of that fateful Episode 12 as well as the unexpected transition of Kenji from Facebook friend to boyfriend. This episode comes with reflections & advice for all lovers, unattached, coupled, or otherwise. Happy HoliBAES!

This week's guest:

Jess Ju (@JessJuTweets)

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#52 - Thank You, Next

Thu, 22 Nov 2018 22:00:00 -0800

Happy Thanksgiving First Of All fam! In Minji's second Thanksgiving episode, she continues a tradition of reflection on the past year, & what a year it has been. Thanks to Ariana Grande, we have a flow to this one: what taught her LOVE, PAIN, & PATIENCE & looking forward to what's NEXT. Diving right into the heart of holiday season with this one. Let's close this year out right!

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#51 - Overcoming Rejection w/ Dia Frampton

Thu, 15 Nov 2018 14:00:00 -0800

It's annoying, it's paralyzing, it's inevitable... it's REJECTION! Whether dealing with it at work, between friends or strangers, and most certainly in our romantic lives, rejection is that ugly reality that can mess with our sense of self-worth and ultimately our progress in life. In this week's episode of First Of All, Minji sits down with her marvelous friend, singer/songwriter/actor Dia Frampton. Together they dissect the many ways rejection has played a pivotal, albeit frustrating, role in their lives and how they've learned to cope with its many forms. While no two people or experiences are the same, Dia and Minji discuss how we can learn to develop courage and resilience through the pain of it all. Together they share ways to power through and hopefully find silver linings even in the most unexpected ways.

This week's guest:

Dia Frampton (@DiaFramps)

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

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Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#50 - Completely Broken

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 17:30:00 -0800

Content Warning: Discussion of depression & suicide

After an unexpected and extensive absence, Minji returns with a solo episode to talk about some difficult things that she's been dealing with for the past few weeks. She expands on her experience losing one of her close friends to suicide and the process of grieving, feeling, rationalizing, accepting, and learning from the process. If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please seek help and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#49 - Feeling FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) w/ JoonLeeComedy

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 13:00:00 -0800

“Is everyone hanging out without me? Why wasn’t I invited? Wow, their life seems amazing..and mine... sucks. I mean, I’m broke and exhausted and have a million things I need to do.. but.. I can’t NOT go. I hate this, but everyone else is doing it..might as well.” Sound familiar? Welcome to the age of FOMO- fear of missing out. This episode, Minji sits down with one of her favorite ATLiens on the planet- comedian Joon Lee. Together they go down the rabbit hole of dealing with daily, relentless, obnoxious, distracting, toxic & sometimes soul-crushing FOMO. They get real about how much it influences their lives in different ways, and a reality check on how to deal with it all. If you’re getting swept up in constantly comparing yourself to others in this extra triggering social media society, we got you.

This week's guest:

Joon Lee (@joonleecomedy)

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#48 - Opportunity Costs

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 13:00:00 -0800

In high school, Minji fell asleep in Econ class. In college, she tried it once more, only this time became completely intrigued & inspired by its concepts. One of her absolute favs? OPPORTUNITY COST - the benefits an individual misses out on when choosing one alternative over another. It's a concept that's more & more significant as she works hard at making smart, productive, healthy decisions. As time, energy, and bs tolerance become increasingly scarce in Minji's life, she realizes the importance of stepping back & recognizing the impact & payoff of her decisions, big & small. What are we giving up to prioritize the choices that we make? How can we assess if giving up X, we'll be more satisfied with Y? How do our actions align (or misalign) with our values & beliefs? Whether these decisions regard health, money, or relationships, Minji reflects on it on this solo episode of First Of All.

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#47 - How To Deal w/ Fighting w/ Kenji

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 23:00:00 -0800

Hey. We need to talk. Anyone else freak out when they hear those words? Maybe it's because usually on the other side of that tiny declaration is a serious conversation that might very well involve something you may have done wrong. Or didn't do enough of. Or forgot. Or unintentionally but insensitively ruined for all eternitty. In any case, conflict resolution is an essential part of life, so why is it still such a dreaded thing we gladly (and frequently) run away from? Whether it applies to family, friends, coworkers, or our romantic partners, figuring out to deal with our problems directly is a skill that must be constantly honed and practiced. In this episode of FOA, Minji sits down with her sparring partner, er, boyfriend, Kenji, to reflect on their ups & downs in learning how to resolve conflicts in their relationship & in others. They discuss communication styles, clashing personalities, taking responsibility, humor, and basic argument survival skills. We'll get through this, guys. Promise. Part one of a neverending series...

This week's guest:

Kenji Tsukamoto

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#46 - Respect your Elders w/ FENG

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 16:00:00 -0800

Millennials have this annoying reputation for being lazy, self-absorbed, and entitled, some of which can be true and some that's just plain nonsense. While some of these trends may hold up, a lot of sounds a lot like the same complaints every aging generation puts on the incoming one for just not being good enough. On this episode of First of All, Minji welcomes back dancer, artist, & entrepreneur homie FENG to the podcast to chat about the concept and values of respecting your elders. As Asian Americans, this is something both of them have been raised to strongly honor and respect since birth. Now that they're both in the thick of being the "grown up" and mentoring the next generation, they discover how maybe (just MAYBE) they ignored some pretty priceless wisdom as youngsters from parents, teachers, coaches, & even some peers. What are we ignoring? What are we unnecessarily shutting down? Are we better off for it? Together they take a moment to shed light on the value of being open to feedback, interpreting and implementing advice, and truly respecting elders who have come before.

This week's guest:

FENG justfeng.com

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

1: According to research professor & viral TED talk speaker Brené Brown, vulnerability is the birthplace of joy, creativity, belonging & love. It’s also the things we as humans often do anything, and we mean ANYTHING, to avoid being. We fear feelings of rejection, shame, guilt, inadequacies & much more. But what’s at stake when we withstand, nay FLEE, that which is so fundamental in building true connections with others? A lot, actually. In this episode, Minji invites her fried, personal trainer and Kollaboration SF Social Media Specialist Long Vo to chat about vulnerability, humility and motivation. They may even share an embarrassingly honest story or two. Y’know, to lead by vulnerable example.

This week's guest:

Long Vo @bobojojo

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#45 - My Thoughts on Crazy Rich Asians

Sun, 19 Aug 2018 01:30:00 -0800

On this solo episode, Minji shares her thoughts on the movie on everyone's (especially Asian Americans’) minds - summer romcom Crazy Rich Asians. She talks about what it meant to her to see Asian characters on screen be allowed to be whatever they want to be, and why that's important to the rest of us, ALL OF US. She addresses the criticisms, controversies, & sh*t-talkers. She also shares her thoughts on why diversity matters, and how an unexpected conversation with an African American friend in Atlanta that helped her figure out why it's important to her to contribute her voice as an actor, writer, podcaster and consumer.

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#44 - The Power of Vulnerability w/ Long Vo

Wed, 15 Aug 2018 00:08:00 -0800

According to research professor & viral TED talk speaker Brené Brown, vulnerability is the birthplace of joy, creativity, belonging & love. It’s also the things we as humans often do anything, and we mean ANYTHING, to avoid being. We fear feelings of rejection, shame, guilt, inadequacies & much more. But what’s at stake when we withstand, nay FLEE, that which is so fundamental in building true connections with others? A lot, actually. In this episode, Minji invites her fried, personal trainer and Kollaboration SF Social Media Specialist Long Vo to chat about vulnerability, humility and motivation. They may even share an embarrassingly honest story or two. Y’know, to lead by vulnerable example.

This week's guest:

Long Vo @bobojojo

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#43 - God's Plan w/ Abe Kim

Tue, 31 Jul 2018 17:00:00 -0800

On this episode, Minji sits down with her friend Abe Kim to talk through a very complex and layered part of their lives - navigating their faith growing up in a Christian church through the good, bad, and deeply confusing. With Abe's background as a pastor's kid and a student of theology, they talk through parallel but also uniquely different experiences with morality, social obligations, betrayals, cultural nuances and lingering questions about organized religion. Their conversation is a deep dive into their minds and hearts while just scratching the surface on a deeply personal aspect of many of our lives. Abe also reflects on how he's learned to process his thoughts and feelings through art and reconcile things when he's lost. They share important lessons they've learned in understanding and embracing their journeys realizing their purpose, ethics, and things much larger than themselves. And how sometimes it's ok to just not know.

This week's guest:

Abe Kim (IG: @0abrahamkim0)

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#42 - Glow Up Man w/ Tom Ngo

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 03:20:00 -0800

Never judge a book by their cover, they say. Minji’s friend, fellow podcaster, & former party promoter Tom Ngo says otherwise. You just gotta make sure to be curious and open-minded about what’s actually between the covers. In this episode, Minji and Tom go down the rabbit hole of hustling, dating, partying, and all the misconceptions about those who seem to participate in all three at once. They chat about their own first impressions of one another, whether they were accurate or not, and how they’ve both grown to reconcile who they come off to be vs who they really are. Tom shares his insights on growing from a lost boy who was prone to social pressures to a grown man, confident professional, and a more responsible adult. If you’ve ever questioned how to outgrow your former self to move onward & upward, this episode is for you.

This week's guest:

Tom Ngo (IG: @tomngo422)

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#41 - Period Drama w/ Kristine Gerolaga

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 01:00:00 -0800

This episode of First of All is all about the sacred, frustrating, empowering, and still widely underdiscussed experience that 50% of the world's population experiences (usually) for more than half their lifespan - the female period. Minji invites her friend and acting school classmate Kristine Gerolaga to talk about a topic that has just started to lose it's taboo stigma that can now (hopefully) be discussed openly and in mixed company. Together they walk through their journeys as women learning, experiencing, and embracing their periods, excruciating PMS and all. They go in depth on the shame surrounding this common and universal female experience and the ways compassion and empathy can help women deal with some obnoxious and painful realities each month. They also discuss that problematic nature of how media and widespread first world culture has downplayed or even ridiculed women's bodies and the dangerous toll it can take on EVERYONE. As an actress, writer, and filmmaker, Kristine has approached the experiences and emotions of women all over the world through her film Period Drama, which we hope you'll all take some time to watch! If you are a woman or if you have a mother, sister, cousin, coworker, colleague, or friend that has a uterus, this episode is for you. Time to share and learn, folks! Enjoy!

This week's guest:

Kristine Gerolaga (@kristeen_gee)

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#40 - I AM ENOUGH

Sun, 08 Jul 2018 02:30:00 -0800

"I am enough." The tried & true, cliche, DIY, self-help mantra takes on a brand new meaning and impact for Minji in this epiphany-driven solo episode. After a last minute family vacation to Hawaii that took more than a little effort for her to fully enjoy, Minji peels back the layers of a simple concept that's taken her a lifetime to apply.

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#39 - The 2018 Struggle Is Real w/ Manpreet Kaur

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 18:00:00 -0800

On this episode, Minji invites her friend Manpreet Kaur back to the podcast to talk about processing the massive stresses and anxieties of 2018 America (and beyond). Everything from daily political upheavals to heartbreaking human rights violations on top of mounting personal responsibilities like finances and family. HOW do we continue to function? Do we get normalized to chaos and stop caring? Do we turn off our newsfeeds and updates to shut out reality? How do we approach these topics with one another and work through the muck with opposing viewpoints with compassion without burning out? The triggers are plentiful, the gravity of the issues are real. In a day and age where the crisis alerts don't show any sign of slowing down, Minji and Manpreet discuss how important it is to work through all the thoughts and emotions. And it doesn't stop there, we need to strategize how to deal with it all. Together they chat about staying active and motivated while managing their mental and emotional exhaustion with tenacity and active self-care.

This week's guest:

Manpreet Kaur (IG: @preetman)

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#38 - Learning to Talk to My Father

Wed, 20 Jun 2018 00:30:00 -0800

Happy Father's Day! In honor of all the fathers and father figures out there helping raise us all into better human beings, Minji takes a second (or many) to honor the evolving relationship with a tough dad. This solo episode is all about her lifelong battle with the infamous Papa Chang, and how it has changed over the years as Minji has grown from a sassy-pants child to sassy-pants adult. She dives into everything from forgiveness when it's the absolute hardest to discovering empathy and compassion that she didn't know was possible.

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#37 - How To Long Distance Relationship w/ The BF

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0800

It's been a minute since we've talked about dating, a favorite FOA topic that never ever seems to lose its confounding relevance, amirite? It could all be so simple, two people meeting, feeling each other out, spending time together, building a connection, then continuing to grow together or maturely parting ways. HA! IF ONLY. But let's be honest, the beauty of love and all the complex ways we approach it keeps life interesting, fun, and if anything, entertaining. That's how Minji would frame it (on a good day). This supersized episode is all about weathering long distance relationships, thanks to a laughably questionable how-to listacle courtesy of The Internet. To help her discuss this topic, Minji brings on her new long distance boyfriend, Kenji. Together they review advice on how to survive a long distance relationship, and break it down with their respective thoughts.

This week's guest:

Kenji Tsukamoto

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#36 - Showing Up For Yourself w/ Leonardo Nam

Wed, 30 May 2018 00:30:00 -0800

What does it actually take to make an idea or dream a reality? There’s goal-setting, visualization, positive thinking, mapping… but then there’s the part where you just have to grow up, show up & DO IT. And we may all know it, but it’s often easier said than done. Minji sits down to talk about the process of showing up for yourself & making things happen with her friend, actor Leonardo Nam (HBO’s Westworld, Sisterhood Of Traveling Pants, Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift, The Perfect Score). From moving from Argentina to Australia to NYC to LA, switching gears from architecture to drama, & sleeping in Central Park or a studio room floor for months to survive, Leo knows a thing or two about paying your dues & persevering through a lot of everything to succeed. Together they share anecdotes & a-ha moments as well as dealing with failure and success. If you’re figuring how/when/why to take your next turn, this episode will speak volumes (in a great, passionate Aussie accent).

This week's guest:

Leonardo Nam (@Leonardo_Nam)

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#35 - Hello Freedom...& Anxiety!

Wed, 23 May 2018 00:00:00 -0800

Chasing your dreams leads you to fulfillment, adventure...& in Minji’s case - bonus panic attacks. For this solo episode, Minji reflects on her first few weeks as a full-fledged freelance creative & professionally independent woman. From figuring out how to audition regularly to disciplining herself through some major imposter syndrome to submit for screenwriting fellowships, it's been non-stop chaos since "stepping down" from her almost-decade with Kollaboration. She shares three things she was completely unprepared for, and puts out six goals for self improvement. WOOSAHHHH.

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#34 - Liquor Store Babies w/ So Yun Um

Wed, 16 May 2018 02:30:00 -0800

This episode is a special shoutout to all the immigrant babies out there and an inside look for those who are not! Fresh off of attending the 2018 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, Minji chats with her friend So Yun Um, who just premiered her short film "Liquor Store Babies" as part of the festival's Armed with a Camera Fellowship. Inspired by the themes of the documentary short, Minji and So discuss growing up the children of immigrant parents working in the service industry as small business owners and the untold stories of middle class Asian American families.

This week's guest:

So Yun Um (@ssoyunum)

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#33 - Dealing With Anger w/ Paul Dateh

Tue, 08 May 2018 00:35:00 -0800

On this super-sized episode, Minji and guest, musician Paul Dateh, take a trip into the Anger Zone. They chat about their respective experiences of dealing with rage and sometimes even being categorized as "angry people." They dive deep into the layers behind the emotions they've learned to navigate over the years. This includes how they've each learned how to channel these very powerful feelings into proactive and constructive action, while also just accepting them for what they are. Minji and Paul discuss how they cool down from heated exchanges and not to dwell in toxic emotions that hurt others and themselves.

This week's guest:

Paul Dateh (IG: @pauldateh)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#32 - The Most Important Relationship

Wed, 02 May 2018 01:00:00 -0800

On this solo episode of First of All, Minji talks about the most important relationship a person can have in their life. Which one is that, you ask? Well, the one with yourself, of course. In light of a month filled with emotional twists, turns, and growing anxiety that doesn't always (or ever) show up in her Instagram feed, Minji reflects on her process of self-realization and what it all means to her as she begins the next stage in her career. Welcome to act two, everyone.

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#31 - Goody Two Boobs w/ Priska

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0800

On this episode, Minji invites her marvelous & eloquent friend, singer-songwriter Priska, to chat about a persona that they both know a few things about, the "goody two shoes." Minji and Priska break down the pressures of growing up with overwhelming and oftentimes problematic expectations to always be a "good girl." Together they start to peel back the layers of pressure that their respective backgrounds (Asian American, religious, multi-sibling family, millennial) put on them and the deeply rooted pros and cons of that journey. In a conversation that just starts to address the tip of the iceberg in a much wider conversation about complex gender norms and expectations, they also share how they have been able to break through and live much more honest, fulfilling, and balanced lives as strong women.

This week's guest:

Priska (@priskamusik)

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#30 - Coaching Life w/ Abraham Heisler

Tue, 17 Apr 2018 00:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Minji dives into her decision and experience working with her good friend turned life coach, Abraham Heisler. As society continued to get more in everyone's face with social media, mental health issues ran rampant and unaddressed, and huge life decisions looming over Minji's head back in 2017, she made a life-changing and rather uncomfortable decision to invest in herself. Minji and Abraham get very real discussing some of their worries, concerns, and some of Minji's deeply rooted hangups about becoming "one of those people". What does that even mean??? They talk about self-limitations and how a life coach serves as a catalyst to help bring out the most authentic, badass version of you possible. Abraham even walks Minji through a quick (and unexpected!) coaching session on air for all you to hear. And for those who are curious but have no intention to get a life coach, or you're just not ready yet, they both share their fav ways to practice self-care and use other effective life hacks to relax, grow, and thrive.
This week's guest:

Abraham Heisler - heislercoaching.com

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#29 - Toxic Masculinity w/ Slim

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 02:00:00 -0800

Steve Lim returns as Minji's guest to talk about a topic on both their minds - toxic masculinity. Together, they explore their own early experiences dealing with gendered expectations and how it has shaped their lives, especially as their understanding has become more nuanced over the last few years. While this isn't a new experience by any means, it's a more newly coined term to identify problematic norms and stereotypes that have brought us to our present #MeToo and #TimesUp era.

This week's guest:

Steve Lim (Steve is a man of mystery and does not believe in IG or Twitter)

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#28 - I QUIT MY JOB

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 02:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Minji explains why she has made the big life decision of quitting her non-profit job to pursue her dream of becoming an actor/writer/director. She also shares 12 life lessons for anyone looking to switch it up and/or do big things in their career.

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#27 - How to Introvert w/ Melly Lee

Fri, 23 Feb 2018 23:00:00 -0800

Photographer and world traveler Melly Lee returns to First of All to educate us on what it's like to be an introvert in an extrovert's world. As an unabashed extrovert, Minji learns about the myriad ways she might've been driving her introvert friends crazy (amongst others). In the end, we learn that the secret is to appreciate each other's strengths while acknowledging each other's needs.

This week's guest:

Melly Lee (@MELLYLEE_)

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#26 - Wait, YOU Run A Business? w/ Jane Lee & Eva Chan

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 01:00:00 -0800

On this episode, Minji chats with Jane Lee and Eva Chan, the co-founders of Launch Pop, a startup lab that focuses on launching exciting new brands and companies. Jane and Eva share their experiences as power women in the entrepreneurial world, as well as the struggles and discrimination they still face way too often as female business owners. They also share their secret to starting a company with your best friend, knowing and defending your value, negotiating like a pro and how to keep growing as a professional!

This week's guest:

Jane Lee & Eva Chan, Founders of Launchpop

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#25 - Getting Over Your Ex

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 01:00:00 -0800

Ever been in love? Ever had to let that love go? Whether it was you who made that difficult call or received it being made on you, letting go of someone you once cuddled, pet named, introduced to your family & friends, doodled in your notebook as your life partner, fought with over roadtrip snacks, & basically navigated the ups & downs of life with...sucks. So. Much. Suck. In this solo episode, Minji opens up on her personal journey of letting go of her last ex. Through rebounds, promising dates, single lady liberation, & mind numbing loneliness, Minji gets real on the process of (actually) letting go & moving on as well some of her biggest lessons learned.

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#24 - How to Fight Imposter Syndrome with Tiffanie Hsu

Sat, 27 Jan 2018 21:00:00 -0800

On this episode, Minji welcomes film director Tiffanie Hsu, hot off of premiering a documentary at the Sundance Film Festival, to talk about a topic very near and dear to her heart, imposter syndrome and how to fight it. Minji and Tiffanie discuss the many ways imposter syndrome can manifest in one's personal and professional lives, and how they've learned to deal with it.

This week's guest:

Tiffanie Hsu (IG: @notorioustif)

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#23 - Coming Out w/ Kevyn Fong

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 23:00:00 -0800

This week Minji invites her friend, the talented Producer and Talent Manager Kevyn Fong, to the podcast. Kevyn shares his experiences growing up as a gay Asian American and how he came out to his parents. Together they walk through Kevyn's journey of milestone moments as an individual, evolving and embracing who he is 100%, and surrounding himself with friends and supporters who do the same.

This week's guest:

Kevyn Fong (IG: @kevy.n)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#22 - Intro to Female Sexuality w/ Katie Roberts

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 01:00:00 -0800

This is a fun & pretty crucial one. Minji sits down with writer, actress, nurse & fellow podcast host Katie Roberts to talk about female sexuality - a rarely discussed but vital topic. They talk puberty, sex ed, porn, and dealing with never having the sex talk before diving into intimate relationships. This just scratches the surface of an exciting & liberating frontier!

This week's guest:

Katie Roberts (@imkatieroberts) - Clit Talk Podcast

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#21 - What Do You Want???

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 23:00:00 -0800

Recorded as the last episode of 2017, here is the first episode of 2018! On this episode of First of All, Minji reflects on the crazy, difficult, awesome year that was and asks herself (and you dear listeners), what do you want? No really, What Do You Want?!?! Minji talks about growing from a person driven by fear to a person driven by desires outcomes and serving a higher purpose. She also makes a pretty big announcement regarding her own personal future for 2018!

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#20 Giving Thanks Courageously w/ Melissa Polinar

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 02:00:00 -0800

On this episode, Minji sits down with her friend, singer-songwriter & YouTube veteran, Melissa Polinar to bring some much needed positivity into the universe. They talk about what they're thankful for in 2017, a year that's been pretty awful to get through to say the least. Together they discuss the silver linings to all the drama & trauma of the current state of affairs - like appreciating what's truly important to them as individuals, their communities, & society at large & leaving the rest of the bs on the 2017 sidewalk as we head into a new year. #BYEFELICIA They also dive into defining courage vs. fearlessness, saying NO to toxic people/places/things, & how political awareness has been ignited for the better.

This week's guest:

Melissa Polinar (@mpolinar)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#19 Cuffing Season: Online Dating 101 w/ Steve Lim

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 23:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Minji invites her good friend Steve Lim to talk cuffing season as he begins his journey with dating apps. For those of you who haven’t heard of it before, cuffing season is that special time around the holidays when people who’d usually rather be single & free, find themselves longing to be in a serious relationship. What a time to be a noob, amirite? Listen to Steve’s struggles & triumphs in “marketing himself” to the masses & figuring out how to find something meaningful...if that’s even possible. Frank commentary & feedback from Minji abounds.

This week's guest:

Steve Lim (Steve is a man of mystery and does not believe in IG or Twitter)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#18 Talking Race w/ Omono Okojie

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 00:00:00 -0800

This episode's guest is the very talented actress/writer/dancer Omono Okojie, who you might've recently seen in Justin Chon's Sundance film "Gook." This week's featured topic is race, specifically the often under-discussed relationship between communities whose intersectionality rarely gets represented in the mainstream. Minji and Omono dive deep into their own experiences dealing with their identities as minority (grown ass) women in America, as well as race relations between the Asian and Black communities.

This week's guest:

Omono Okojie (@OmonoTalks)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#17 Life On The Road w/ Photographer Melly Lee

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0800

On this episode of First of All, Minji invites professional photographer and avid globetrotter Melly Lee to chat about life, career, and travel. Find out about Melly's journey as a painfully shy introvert turned adventurer photographer, listen in as Minji and Melly share tales about some uncomfortable confrontations and realities around staying safe on the road, and learn what that #wanderlust life is really like.

This week's guest:

Melly Lee (@MELLYLEE_)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#16 How to Get Sh*t Done (& Feel Good About It)

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 02:00:00 -0800

After a jam-packed weekend of producing back to back events while also handling some major adulting woes, Minji shares some of her tips about how to get things done while staying healthy and balanced. Drawing from lessons from her successes as well as her mistakes, take a look into Minji's perspective on how to handle life like a boss.

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Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#15 How to Find Closure & Let Go w/ Jennii Vo Le

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 03:00:00 -0800

On this episode of First of All, Minji invites one of her best friends & unofficial spiritual guides, poet/actress/life coach Jennii Vo Le, to talk about finding closure and letting go, one of Minji's most difficult challenges in life. They discuss loves lost, family, anger, forgiveness, moving on, and working on that lofty goal of living your best life. Let this conversation be a chill and meaningful intro into all things energetic and spiritual. Time to bust out the sage smudge stick and crystals, y'all. We have some inner housekeeping to do. In this episode's IMO, how does one assert their own opinion without minimizing other people's opinions.

This week's guest:

Jennii Vo Le (@j8nnii)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#14 My #MeToo Story - I Was In Love With My Abuser

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 21:00:00 -0800

In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein debacle & the growing #MeToo social media movement highlighting the widespread experiences of sexual assault & harassment, Minji sheds light on her own painful history with abuse. She shares her thoughts on how to find strength in solidarity, peace through active healing, & active solutions to domestic violence ranging from our private relationships with ourselves & others to changing social norms & policy.

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Our theme song is "Set Free" by Travis Atreo

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#13 Let's Talk about Body Image w/ Cait Bidwell

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 01:04:00 -0800

This week, Minji invites fellow actor Cait Bidwell to talk about body image & the horrible, wonderful, frustrating, empowering, challenging, bizarre journey of learning to love our bodies & feel good in our own skin. They discuss the many ways society, culture, and even family can affect a woman's image of herself, and how they've learned to confront them head on. For this week's IMO, a little advice on how to introduce a brand new significant other to your parents.

This week's guest:

Cait Bidwell (@caitbidwell)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#12 Into the Wilderness of Online Dating w/ Jess Ju

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 00:30:00 -0800

In this week's supersized episode, Minji swaps online dating stories with fellow single professional superwoman & chairwoman of #teamextra, Jess Ju. Together, they discuss profile dealbreakers, dating app rankings, unsolicited dick pics, and so much more. Also, on this week's IMO segment, Minji and Jess share their thoughts about how to establish boundaries.

This week's guest:

Jess Ju (@jessjutweets)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Set Free" by Travis Atreo

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#11 - Storytime: Minji's Awkward Asian Fetish Audition

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 00:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Minji shares a recent strange audition experience as a fledgling actor. She reflects about the challenges of being an actor who is female, Asian, and hungry to make it in Hollywood along with all its universal, sometimes depressing, but incredibly important implications. #thestruggleisreal #weshallovercome

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Our theme song is "Set Free" by Travis Atreo @travisatreo

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#10 How To Be A Badass w/ Shirley Chung

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 13:00:00 -0800

Former Top Chef finalist Shirley Chung joins Minji to talk about growing up in China and the Bay Area, finding love, pursuing her passion for cooking, and how to be a badass female in a male dominated industry. For this episode's IMO, Minji and Shirley discuss how to deal with fake people.

This week's guest:

Shirley Chung (@chfshirleychung)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Set Free" by Travis Atreo

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#9 - Hurricane Harvey & Hometown Heroes w/ Jeff Chen

Wed, 06 Sep 2017 02:15:00 -0800

Minji talks to her good friend and Kollaboration colleague Jeff Chen (aka DJ Kidstylez) about the relief efforts in Jeff's hometown of Houston, TX. They discuss the everyday heroes that have emerged in the wake of Huricane Harvey and how people (like you) can get involved and assist with Houston's recovery. In this week's IMO segment, Minji and Jeff talk about discussing climate change in today's political climate.

Help support the Houston Relief Fund, every little contribution counts!

This week's guest:

Jeff Chen (@kidstylez)

Follow Minji on:

Our theme song is "Set Free" by Travis Atreo

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#8 - Thoughts On Life and Death (In Memory of Irene Cho)

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 02:00:00 -0800

Minji takes a moment to reflect on the recent & sudden death of a dear friend and mentor. Irene Cho was an advocate, hustler, & stalwart of the Asian American entertainment community and will be missed by everyone she touched. In this episode, Minji gets real understanding the seven stages grief, & appreciates the universal lessons that often come when dealing with death, especially the importance of time & relationships.

Help support the GoFundMe for Irene's son Ethan

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Our theme song is "Set Free" by Travis Atreo

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First of All is a member of the Potluck Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#7 - Reflections of Immigrant Life in the USA w/ Minji's Mom

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0800

Minji went home this past weekend and while she was there she recorded a podcast with her mom. Minji's mom shares her immigrant story, coming to America, raising 3 kids, and dealing with racism.

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Our theme song is "Set Free" by Travis Atreo

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First of All is a member of the Potluck Podcast Collective

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#6 - Surrender pt. 2

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 02:40:00 -0800

Minji has some thoughts on the events of this past week and weekend

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Our theme song is "Set Free" by Travis Atreo

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Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!

#5 How to Deal with Heartbreak w/ Travis Atreo

Tue, 15 Aug 2017 19:00:00 -0800

Minji's invites her good friend, singer-songwriter Travis Atreo, to dive into everyone's favorite topic: relationships and heartbreak. Together they share experiences and ways to cope with losing someone you've loved (or, you know, really really liked) with a reminder that there's a light at the end of every painful tunnel. For this week's IMO segment, Minji and Travis share their tips on how to practice self-love and take care of yourself in times of great stress.

This week's guest:

Travis Atreo (@travisatreo)

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Our theme song is "Set Free" by Travis Atreo

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

Mentioned in this episode:

Don’t miss Chinese Republicans, a new play from Alex Lin!

Tickets for Chinese Republicans on sale now!