Asian Pacific Voices Radio

Asian Representation in Hollywood │1x14

In the past few years, we have seen a breakthrough for Asian representation in Hollywood and mainstream media. Rasha Goel is an Emmy-nominated television host, broadcast journalist, and international correspondent. As a South Asian woman working in Hollywood and mainstream media, she has experienced—first-hand—the difficulties for Asian folks in the entertainment industry, as well as the progress that has been made recently.

On this episode of Asian Voices Radio, Rasha Goel shares her insight on the rise of Asian representation in Hollywood and the reasons people in positions of power, or "the gatekeepers" should pay more attention to diversity amongst their cast and crews. As one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in America, Rasha emphasizes the need to cater toward this sort of untapped market. With the example of Crazy Rich Asians, whose budget was $30 million and domestic gross earnings of $170 million, it is extremely evident that Asian Americans and beyond look forward to these types of stories and content.

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like Episode 11 with Dr. Thao Ha on racial relations in today's world.

Body Shaming & Body Positivity │1x13

Jake Solorzano is a Filipino-American from Los Angeles who currently studies in San Diego, CA. With immigrant parents and a traditional household, he found it difficult to balance what he believed he wanted to become and who those around him wanted him to be.

 

His journey through internal and external pressures for his physical appearance led him to the unexpected discovery of breast cancer at such a young age. In this episode of Asian Voices Radio, Jake shares his experience as a breast cancer and body shaming survivor, combined with his identity as a Filipino-American male.

Our Thoughts & Mental Health │1x12

Mental health has long been a taboo topic amongst Asian American families—whether it was because it was a sign of weakness, or simply because mental health care was something that wasn't familiar within that community. In fact, Asian Americans are three times less likely to seek mental health care.

How can we take care of our minds, despite the stigmatization of mental health? What steps can we take to improve our thoughts? Dr. Amy Kim and Hula Ramos explore what mental health care looks like within the Asian American community, what steps we can take to improve for ourselves, and the general state of mental health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

Racial Hate, History & Asian Culture │1x11

On this episode of Asian Voices Radio, Dr. Ha shares her expertise in racial relations and its history to provide insight into today's current events. She relates her studies, as well as personal experiences, as they intertwine with Asian hate crimes today.

 

From being involved in the gang community to becoming the influential Vietnamese-American woman she is today, Dr.Thao Ha is truly an inspiration for all. She was able to hard work and determination to turn her life around, and then help provide resources and knowledge to those around her. She is now involved with the MiraCosta College MANA program for Pacific Islander students, as well as the VietVote organization for Vietnamese civic empowerment. In addition to her studies in Vietnamese refugee communities and the KKK, Dr. Ha was also an associate producer of the documentary film, SeaDrift. 

 

Dr. Ha, Hula, and Linda also get to discuss the legacy of Asian hate in America against the cultural taboos of speaking out, strength, and mental wellbeing. If we are all taught to tolerate events around us, and "hold our tongues", how do we handle what is going on around us today? What steps do we need to take, personally and with those around us, to overcome events of racial hatred?

Creating Asian Hustle Network │1x10

Maggie Chui is the co-founder and COO of Asian Hustle Network (AHN), an online community of 100,000 members that started in November 2019 and is aimed at empowering and uplifting Asian entrepreneurs and allies globally. The mission of AHN is to bring the Asian entrepreneurial and professional community together and to provide an inclusive platform for people to collaborate, support, and learn from one another.

Maggie has since been featured in LA Times, VoyageLA, NextShark, and China Global TV Network. She envisions a future where Asians can be more open with sharing their stories, amplifying their voices, and working to ensure that we all succeed.

Journey Through Broadcast Journalism │1x9

Sasha Foo was the first Asian American news anchor at CNN in Atlanta and later spent 17 years with KUSI-TV in San Diego. Although we can look at these accomplishments by themselves, what makes her story notable is her journey there and her recent departure from this area.

After a long career in the news, Sasha Foo left KUSI-TV in 2020. She reflects on her entire career journey and the many interests she had "put on the back burner" which she has since chosen to pursue.

Listen to find out how she first started her career, established herself across the nation, then left in order to stay true to herself and her personal interests and passions.

Be sure to follow up with Sasha Foo's journey by looking out for her name on social media.

Supporting Asian Businesses │1x8

Today, we are joined by Business Advisor and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director at the Asian Business Association, San Diego (ABASD), Wesley Quach.

Together, we explore the effects of xenophobia and personal biases on the Asian American community. Outside of educating one another about our differences and bringing these issues to better awareness across the nation, communities are often left to wonder what resources are available to help them keep afloat or to continue their growth as small businesses.

ABASD and their Small Business Development help these individuals through creating partnerships, providing in-person guidance, and personal consulting. 

If you, or someone you know, would be interested in learning more about these resources and programs, please visit the Asian Business Association at https://www.abasd.org/.

 

Social Justice Issues Impacting the API community │1x7

Today we join Connie Chung, the CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice — Los Angeles Chapter to discuss the social issues that have pervaded Asian American communities within the past year.

Across the nation, Advancing Justice, or AAAJ, one of the largest Asian American civil rights organizations was founded following the hate crime of Vincent Chin. Throughout the past year, this organization has partnered with numerous other Asian American-focused organizations to raise awareness of and provide resources to their community members in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With over 3,000 hate incidents reported within the last year alone compared to fewer than a hundred the year prior, it became clear to AAAJ that something had to be done. Listen now to find out what programs, resources, and reporting tools are available to you.

Transgender Rights and Activism │1x6

Cecilia Chung is a national transgender rights, HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+, and social justice activist from Hong Kong. Chung immigrated to California with her family, where she later made a home for herself in San Francisco. Her service and advocacy have been prominent since the early 1990s, when she had begun to establish her voice in various community interest groups.

She has continually made space as a representative for Asian American transgender folks and those who live with HIV as the first transgender woman for both the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Celebration and San Francisco Human Rights Commission. Her extensive community engagement within the LGBTQ+ space has allowed her to amplify the voices of others, as well as educate non-LGBTQ+ folks who are looking to better support their neighbors, family, and friends.

In this episode of Asian Voices Radio, our host Hula Ramos and co-host Linda Schwartz create a space for Cecilia Chung's personal experiences and advice for those of the LGBTQ+ communities and its allies. Together they explore Ms. Chung's work, how to better understand and show up for one another, and what we can do to amplify the voices of our community.

Learn more about Cecilia Chung and her work by visiting her website http://www.ceciliachung.com/.

Interracial Families & Identity │1x5

Wendy Kim is a #1 International Best-Selling author of Beyond Blending In: An Immigrant Daughter's Guide to Overcoming Cultural Bonds For A Life Of Authenticity and Abundance. As a Korean-German born in Savannah, Georgia, Ms. Kim grew up trying to assimilate into either side of her cultural heritage.

Growing up, many of us find ourselves finding ourselves within different groups, or cliques, based on our identity and who we think ourselves to be more closely associated with. In this episode, she shares her personal experience in learning how to balance her identity and accepting who she had grown to be at a later age.

Wendy Kim's husband is Korean-American, but his father was born and raised in Mexico. She has helped to raise their children to be aware of all corners of their heritage of German, Korean, and Mexican culture. However, as Wendy had to learn to embrace her own identity on her own, she has since had to learn how to teach her children the same concept of acceptance.