Asian Pacific Voices Radio

Chef Katie Chin: Stirring Up Culture, One Dish at a Time - 5 X 3

Celebrity Chef Katie Chin is an award-winning cookbook author, caterer, and Culinary Ambassador to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The daughter of restaurateur Leeann Chin, Katie grew up in the kitchen before beginning a successful career in film and television marketing—eventually returning to her culinary roots.
She co-hosted the PBS series Double Happiness with her mother and has authored five cookbooks, including Everyday Thai Cooking and Katie Chin’s Global Family Cookbook. Her work has been featured in Forbes, O Magazine, Bon Appétit, and The Wall Street Journal.
Katie has appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Today, Live with Kelly & Mark, and as a chef or judge on Chopped, Cutthroat Kitchen, Beat Bobby Flay, and Iron Chef America. In 2013, she was a featured chef at the White House Easter Egg Roll under the Obama administration.

Minji Chang: Storytelling, Representation & Breaking Barriers - 5 X 2

Minji Chang is a Korean American actor, producer, writer, and podcast host based in Los Angeles. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she earned a BA in Public Health from UC Berkeley and initially worked in violence prevention and tech before transitioning to the entertainment industry.
She served as the Global Executive Director of Kollaboration, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting AAPI artists, where she launched the EMPOWER Creative Leadership Conference and partnered with major studios and the White House. Minji now serves on Kollaboration’s Board of Directors and continues championing diversity and AAPI representation in media.

She co-produces the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience at major film festivals, hosts the podcast First Of All, and is producing her first feature documentary, ASHIMA. As a theater-trained actor, she has appeared in indie films and viral sketches and is the voice of Songbird in Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. Minji is also a seasoned commercial voice actor with clients including Google, Spotify, Samsung, and Sephora.

Adhrucia Apana: Amplifying Voices Through Film - 5 X 1

Adhrucia Apana is an Artist, Writer, and the Founder of the production company Curiosity Entertainment, which develops and packages film and television, books, and provides music supervision. As a producer, she’s brought powerful films to life, including the Emmy-nominated “The Survivor” by Barry Levinson starring Ben Foster, “Needle in a Timestack” by John Ridley starring Cynthia Ervin, Leslie Odom Jr, Frieda Pinto, and Orlando Bloom, “Capone” starring Tom Hardy. Adhrucia has developed projects with the writers of “The Umbrella Academy”, “Ozark”, & “Ballers” & “Entourage” in preproduction and is also in pre-production on the film “One Night Only” a co-production with Panay Films and “Goodman” an award winning screenplay she co-wrote as a screenwriter. Her directorial debut is set for festivals 2026. She hosts the podcast Conversation with Curiosity on iHeart Radio, which features behind-the-scenes conversations from the company with writers, directors, actors, authors, and storytellers from all walks of life. 

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.