Asian Pacific Voices Radio

Visionary Entrepreneur, Amplifying Voices: Shaping the Future of Tech and Media - 4 X 36

Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur and investor, known for founding Geekwire.com and PicMonkey, a leading photo-editing platform. He currently owns and publishes the re-booted Seattle Magazine and Seattle Business Magazine. Jonathan has the unique distinction of being the first to sell two companies to Google and a third to Shutterstock. His latest venture, JoySauce.com, highlights AAPI talent in TV, film, and podcasts, receiving recognition from the Center for Asian American Media and GLAAD. In 2016, he made headlines for committing to invest only in female-founded companies. Previously, he was a senior manager at Microsoft, contributing to the first Xbox and various MSN applications. Jonathan is a graduate of Whitman College and serves on its Board of Trustees.

In this finale episode of Asian Pacific Voices Radio, host Sasha Foo deeply converses with Jonathan Sposato, a prominent entrepreneur and cultural advocate. They explore Jonathan's unique upbringing in Hong Kong, his transition to life in America, and the challenges he faced as an Asian American. Jonathan shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of resilience and creativity. The discussion also touches on the balance between cultural assimilation and embracing one's heritage, culminating in Jonathan's advice for the next generation of creators and thinkers.

Asian Pacific Voices: Exploring Community, Culture, and Service with San Diego's Finest - 4 X 35

Lieutenant Taerance Oh has served with the San Diego Police Department for over 21 years. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, he immigrated to the U.S. at age three and grew up in Los Angeles. A former United States Marine, Taerance is a 3rd-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and enjoys coaching martial arts. He has held various roles within the department, including Patrol Officer and SWAT Operator, and currently works in the Leadership Development Unit. Taerance is actively involved in community service and has held leadership positions in several organizations, including the National Asian Peace Officers’ Association. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and playing golf.

Sergeant Lem Sainsanoy is a dedicated officer with the San Diego Police Department, serving for 25 years. A Cambodian refugee who settled in San Diego in 1980, he graduated from Miramar College and the San Diego Regional Police Academy. Currently, he works in the Multi-Cultural Community Relations Office, assisting Asian and Pacific Islander communities with criminal investigations, translations, and crime prevention. Fluent in Cambodian, Laotian, and Thai, Sgt. Sainsanoy also serves as the Historian for the Pan-Pacific Law Enforcement Association and mentors teens through the San Diego Asian Youth Organization. He is the first Cambodian officer to achieve the rank of Sergeant in the department.

In this episode of Asian Pacific Voices Radio, host Joanne Whitlock engages with Sergeant Lem Sansonoy and Lieutenant Terrence Oh from the San Diego Police Department. They share their personal journeys into law enforcement, highlighting the importance of community outreach and building trust within diverse communities. The conversation explores the challengIes and successes of their roles, the impact of their backgrounds on their work, and the significance of mentorship and education in policing. They discuss various outreach programs and the evolving role of community relations in law enforcement, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and connection with the community.

Bridging History and Heritage: The Inspiring Journey of Flip Ahn Cuddy - 4 x 34

Flip Ahn Cuddy, an American of Irish and Korean heritage, is a descendant of the Dosan Ahn Chang Ho family, the first Korean American family in the U.S. His mother, Susan Ahn Cuddy, was the first Asian woman in the U.S. Navy and the first female Gunnery Officer in U.S. Armed Forces history. Flip holds degrees in Anthropology and Geography and is an expert on the Korean Independence Movement in America. He manages the largest family collection of independence materials at the Independence Hall in Chonan, Korea. A pioneer surfer, Flip was the first to surf in Korea and currently works with Siheung Wavepark and O'Neill Korea.

In this episode, Flip talks about his mother's significant background as the Navy's first Asian American female officer and how her experiences influenced him. He delves into his mission to promote the legacy of his grandfather, Do San An Chang Ho, a prominent figure in Korea's fight for independence. Flip also touches on his love for surfing and food, as well as the importance of preserving Korean American history.

Leading with Passion, Empowering Communities, and Fighting for Justice - 4 X 33

Kalaya'an Mendoza is a Queer, Disabled, Filipino human rights defender, street medic, and community safety & mutual protection expert. For the last two decades, he has worked in solidarity with frontline communities worldwide to co-build their capacity to respond to state and non-state actor violence. He currently serves as the Director of Mutual Protection at Nonviolent Peaceforce. Nonviolent Peaceforce is an international organization that protects civilians in violent conflicts using unarmed protection strategies.
Kalaya'an shares his journey and the influences that shaped his activism. From his upbringing in the Bay Area to witnessing the People Power Uprising in the Philippines, Mendoza's experiences fueled his passion for social justice. He discusses his challenges as a member of multiple intersecting communities and the importance of self-care in activism. Mendoza highlights the rewarding projects he has been involved in, including working with Tibetan refugees and learning from colleagues worldwide. He emphasizes the need for community care and building sustainable models of safety.

Championing Voices, Amplifying Stories – Bridging Cultures Through Film and PR - 4 X 32

Jeremiah Abraham is an award-winning Marketing and Public Relations Executive with nearly 20 years in the entertainment industry. As the Founder and CEO of Tremendous Communications, he has become a leading voice in making Hollywood more inclusive of the AAPI community, spotlighting talent, and producing films and TV shows. His notable projects include Everything Everywhere All At Once, Crazy Rich Asians, and Joy Ride. Jeremiah also co-produced films like Yellow Rose and Lingua Franca and has expanded to Broadway with Here Lies Love. He serves on the Board of Directors for Filipinos Advancing Creative Education (FACE). In this episode, Jeremiah Abraham discusses the inspiration behind starting Tremendous Communications and the challenges of amplifying diverse stories in media. He reflects on the evolution of Asian-Pacific American representation and Tremendous' role in driving change.

Jeremiah shares insights from producing films like Yellow Rose and Lingua Franca and navigating the dynamic PR landscape. He also talks about his goals for the company, the importance of representation across industries, and his aspiration to collaborate with Filipino star Sharon Cuneta. The episode wraps up with a look at Tremendous’ podcast and its industry recognition.

Advocating for a Greener Future through Inclusion, Education, and Action - 4 X 31

Kristy Drutman, known as "Browngirl Green," is a media producer, speaker, and environmental educator focusing on the intersection of media, diversity, and environmentalism. She has reached global audiences with her content and workshops on environmental issues. As the Co-Founder of the Green Jobs Board, Kristy is committed to bridging the equity gap in the green economy by fostering diversity and inclusion in the environmental field.

In this episode, Kristy shares her background and upbringing in a mixed-race household, how her passion for environmental justice was sparked by a high school environmental science class, and the impact of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. She discusses the inspiration behind the name Brown Girl Green and the creation of her platform, which aims to make sustainability accessible and inclusive for communities of color. Kristy also talks about her other venture, the Green Jobs Board, which connects job seekers with opportunities in the green economy. She emphasizes the importance of representation and diversity in the environmental movement and provides advice for individuals who want to positively impact the environment in their everyday lives.

Crafting Elegance, Celebrating Individuality – Venk Modur, The Visionary Behind Iconic Style - 4 X 30

Venk Modur is a Los Angeles-based celebrity stylist, costume designer, and actor whose clients have been featured on the Academy Awards red carpet, in Vanity Fair magazine, and on numerous 'best dressed' lists. His aesthetic combines fashion with cultural significance and unique uses of accessories, bold colors, and neutrals. He's mastered the art of styling on diverse skin tones. His goal is to accentuate what makes each person unique and beautiful.

Venk shares his journey growing up in Indiana. He was inspired by 90s fashion and the film Clueless, leading him to a career in fashion. Venk emphasizes the importance of a personalized approach for each client, focusing on collaboration and accessorizing to create standout looks. He advocates for sustainable fashion and highlights the rich tradition of made-to-measure clothing in Asian cultures. Venk also discusses the need for more diversity behind the scenes in the fashion industry.

Breaking Boundaries with Laughter – Karan Soni, Where Comedy Meets Heart - 4 X 29

Karan Soni was born in New Delhi, India. He debuted as Kemal in Yusuf Sumer's short comedy film Kaka Nirvana, where he co-starred with Rachel Quinn. In 2016, Soni rose to international prominence as Dopinder in Tim Miller's action film Deadpool, a role he later reprised in David Leitch's sequel Deadpool 2.
In this episode, Karan shared insights about his journey as an actor, his challenges as a South Asian in Hollywood, and how he navigated typecasting in the industry. He discussed his early experiences, the importance of representation, and how he leveraged his unique background to create opportunities. Soni also emphasized the significance of persistence and authenticity in pursuing an entertainment career, encouraging aspiring actors to embrace their identities and stay true to themselves.

Trailblazing Success, Inspiring Generations – Loida Lewis, Empowering the Future of Leadership - 4 X 28

Loida Lewis is the first Filipina lawyer to pass the New York State Bar and is a businesswoman, philanthropist, and leader in the global Filipino community. After her husband's passing, she took over TLC Beatrice International, driving the company to continued success. A former General Attorney for the US Immigration and Naturalization Service, Lewis co-authored How to Get A Green Card, now in its 12th edition. Through the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, her philanthropic work includes scholarships and micro-financing for Filipino families. She co-founded three major organizations advocating for legal defense, governance, and the Filipino diaspora. Lewis is also a proud mother of two Harvard cum laude graduates.
In this episode, she shares her journey of immigrating to the U.S., where she supported her husband, Reginald Lewis, in his historic $1 billion acquisition of Beatrice International Foods. Loida also became the first Asian woman to pass the New York bar in 1974. Following Reginald’s death in 1993, she took over as CEO of TLC Beatrice, leading the company to profitability.

Spinning the Beats, Shattering the Ceilings – DJ K Sly, the Sound of Empowerment - 4 X 27

DJ KSLY (K-Sly) is the first Asian female DJ to achieve mainstream success and has been a trailblazer since the '90s. Starting when DJing was just a hobby, she turned it into a career, aiming for multi-platform success as a Party, Radio, and TV DJ. KSLY disrupted the industry, paving the way for more women DJs. She is now part of the female-led Prism DJs agency and a proud Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. member.

Her career began at community and college radio, taking her to Atlanta, Las Vegas, and back to her roots in LA. TV opportunities in LA led to appearances with major networks. KSLY has sat down with the most successful musical acts of yesterday and today. She competed in a nationally televised DJ competition and held domestic and international residencies at major events. As an Asian woman, KSLY changed the face of radio and TV by breaking barriers and setting new standards in the industry. 

She currently has a summer residency at Terranea Resort and is gearing up for exciting new music releases. Her eclectic musical taste blends Hip-Hop, House, R&B, Dancehall, and Old-School Funk, creating electrifying dance floor experiences. 

In this episode, DJ K-Sly discusses her journey from being born in Korea to moving to the U.S. as a child, her challenges growing up with a single mother, and how her diverse upbringing influenced her love for hip-hop and DJing. DJ K-Sly highlights the music industry's evolution, the impact of the 90s golden era of hip-hop, and the importance of adapting to changes in today's music scene. She also talks about the difficulties of balancing her career with motherhood, her selective approach to gigs, and her advocacy for diversity and representation in the music industry, particularly for Asian American women.