Asian Pacific Voices Radio

Jodi Long — Championing Performers, Breaking Barriers, Shaping Hollywood - 5 X 22

In this powerful episode of Asian Pacific Voices Radio, Emmy-winning actress and SAG-AFTRA leader In this compelling episode of Asian Pacific Voices Radio, Emmy-winning actress and union leader Jodi Long joins host Rasha Goel for an inspiring conversation about her lifelong mission to amplify underrepresented voices on stage, screen, and beyond. Jodi opens up about her groundbreaking career as an Asian American actress, the lessons she learned from her vaudevillian parents, and the resilience it took to navigate an industry riddled with bias.

As a former Los Angeles Local President of SAG-AFTRA, she shares candid insights about fighting for equity, ageism protections, AI safeguards, and performers’ rights. Now running as an independent candidate for National President of SAG-AFTRA, Jodi reflects on what it means to lead with integrity and why empowering every performer to own their unique story is at the heart of great acting—and lasting change.

 

 

From Snack Bar to Sky High: The Trailblazing Taste-Maker Behind Mama Go’s - 5 X 21

Iva Chen is a dynamic entrepreneur, CPA, and community advocate whose career spans finance, hospitality, and small business empowerment. A UC Santa Barbara graduate, she began at Deloitte before holding leadership roles at Nestlé USA, CBS Paramount, and The Capital Group. Currently CEO of IOC Design & Consulting and Chief Development Officer of Lady Luck Gourmet, she develops and operates airport restaurants and retail concessions, bringing local and minority-owned brands into major airports. Her entrepreneurial ventures have ranged from matchmaking to launching a pizza chain in China, showcasing her creativity and adaptability. Iva also serves as VP of Public Relations for the Los Angeles Chapter of AMAC, co-founded the Association of Asians in Aviation, and was named “Mentor of the Year” by UCLA’s Riordan Programs. She sits on advisory boards, supports inclusive economic development, and is passionate about equity, mentorship, and leadership development. Outside of work, she is an Army ROTC Bootcamp graduate, two-time triathlete, wife, mom of two, foodie, and lifelong learner, recently earning her WSET Level 1 certification in Wines.

From Rock Stages to Runways: Kaila Yu’s Global Journey of Unapologetic Expression - 5 X 20

Kaila Yu is a luxury travel and culture writer and on-camera correspondent based in Los Angeles, with bylines in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, and more. Her debut memoir, Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty, will be published on August 19, 2025, by Penguin Random House’s Crown Publishing.

Yunte Huang: Rewriting America Through a Global Lens - 5 X 19

Yunte Huang, Distinguished Professor of English at UC Santa Barbara and 2014–15 Guggenheim Fellow, is the award-winning author of Charlie Chan, Inseparable, and Daughter of the Dragon. His works, acclaimed by The New York Times, NPR, and others, explore history, identity, and cross-cultural narratives.

Kainalu Moya: Riding the Waves of Heritage, Identity, and Heroism - 5 X 18

Kainalu Moya is an Asian American actor hailing from Kaneohe, Oahu. Kainalu, also known as “Kai”, is best known for his roles on Power Rangers Dino/Cosmic Fury and the Villains of Valley View. He is a competitive Taekwondo fighter and frequently competes at Taekwondo tournaments across the nation.  Kainalu just won gold at the 2025 USA Taekwondo National Championships in the red belt division, 68kg. He aims to pursue more acting roles in the action realm, showcasing his real-life Taekwondo experience. 

Ranella Ferrer: Soulful Power, Unstoppable Spirit, A Voice That Inspires - 5 X 17

Ranella Ferrer is a dynamic Filipino-American singer, songwriter, and media personality renowned for her powerful vocals and inspiring personal journey. Hailing from the Philippines, she began performing at the age of 3 and moved to the U.S. at 13 to pursue her musical dreams. Nicknamed the “Asian Queen of Soul,” Ferrer has opened for artists such as Stevie Wonder, Keyshia Cole, Tyrese, B2K, and Ne-Yo.

Her career includes Grammy-produced tracks, pop singles, and performances at major venues such as the Viper Room and House of Blues. She has also sung the U.S. National Anthem for NBA teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Rams, Chargers and Clippers, La Kings, etc.

Ferrer gained national attention on E!’s Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian, where her transformation became a standout success story, reigniting her music career and inspiring others . She was named one of the “75 Most Influential Filipino Americans” in 2020 .

Drea Castro: Telling Stories That Heal, Uplift, and Entertain - 5 X 16

Drea Castro is a storyteller, photographer, and creative force amplifying underrepresented voices through film, editorial, and portraiture. A 2025 Gold Telly Award winner, her work spans working alongside passion filled peers with Baldy for the Blind, Bless, and Black Hat—films rooted in heart and visibility. She’s appeared on HBO, ABC, and most recently in a 4x Emmy-nominated episode of The Rehearsal.
Her photography—featuring icons like Lil Wayne, Raven-Symoné, and Eve—has been published in Elle Magazine and displayed in Times Square. She also builds community as the Chief Program officer of Filam Creative, helping create a safe space for learning and growth for Filipino and south East Asian creatives.

Dichen Lachman: Shapeshifting Through Sci-Fi, Culture, and Character - 5 X 15

Dichen Lachman is a Tibetan-Nepalese Australian actress known for her captivating presence and dynamic range across film and television. She stars as “Gemma” and “Ms. Casey” in Apple TV+’s acclaimed series Severance, earning praise from Esquire and Rolling Stone for her standout performance. Lachman first gained recognition in Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse and went on to star in Altered Carbon, Animal Kingdom, and Jurassic World: Dominion. Her film and TV credits also include Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Supergirl, The 100, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Born in Kathmandu and raised in Australia, she now lives in London with her family.

Minori Ito: Bridging Generations, Cultures, and Creativity Through Story and Soul - 5 X14

Minori Ito is a Japanese Sri Lankan model, Columbia University graduate, and future Harvard student, celebrated for breaking barriers in the fashion industry while advocating for diversity and inclusion. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Massachusetts, she blends her multicultural heritage into her personal style and professional work. Beyond modeling for global brands, Minori is passionate about education and social impact, aiming to inspire young women to embrace their identities and pursue their dreams.

Charles Yu: Redefining Representation Through Sharp Wit and Unforgettable Stories - 5 X 13

Charles Yu is the author of four books, including the New York Times bestselling novel Interior Chinatown, which won the National Book Award for Fiction, and is now a limited series streaming on Hulu and Disney+ (for which he served as creator and showrunner). He has also written for shows on FX, AMC, and HBO, and is developing feature film projects with Searchlight Pictures and Paramount Pictures. His fiction and non-fiction have appeared in a number of publications including The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Wired and Harper’s.