Asian Pacific Voices Radio

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.

Championing Asian American Stories, Preserving Cultural Heritage - 4 X 26

Stephen Gong has been the Executive Director of the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) since 2006. He joined CAAM in 1980 and has held positions at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the American Film Institute. Stephen has also lectured in Asian American Studies at UC Berkeley, where he developed a course on the history of Asian American media.

In this episode, Stephen shared insights about his journey as Executive Director of the Center for Asian American Media (CAM). He highlighted CAM's mission to present diverse and authentic Asian American stories, the importance of representation in media, and the challenges of evolving media landscapes. Gong also discussed the significance of CAMFest, their flagship film festival, and its impact on fostering community and showcasing Asian American talent. Additionally, he touched on educational initiatives, youth programs, and the importance of projects like the 1920s Chinatown Insider in preserving cultural history and resilience.

Storyteller Jaswant Shrestha: Bringing Cultures to Life - 4 X 25

Jaswant Shrestha, an Emmy-winning documentarian, producer, and actor, is known for his cultural film "Festival of Saraswati Puja." His roles in major films like "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" and "Ms. Marvel" Have captivated audiences worldwide. Jaswant invites you to explore his incredible journey.

In this episode, Jaswant not only discusses his Emmy-winning docuseries "Festivals" but also showcases his impressive multilingual skills. His ability to voice characters in major films and appear in commercials for Facebook and Dell Technologies is a testament to his versatility. He also shares insights into his Discovery Channel series "Festivals" and his latest 8-part series "On a Quest: with Jaswant," filmed in Portugal.

Jaswant reveals the joys and challenges of versatility in the industry. He has donned multiple hats, from acting to producing, and has excelled in each role. His insights and advice for aspiring actors and filmmakers are invaluable, drawn from his rich and varied experiences.

Thao Huynh French: Transforming Walls with Heritage, Art, and Heart - 4 X 24

Thao Huynh French is an artist, muralist, and photographer. Born in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, she lives and works in San Diego, CA. She is best known for co-founding Mindful Murals™ with her husband, where together they’ve painted over 300 community murals for schools and public spaces all over California. In addition to painting murals, she develops projects that intersect social justice, paints commissions, and displays artwork in galleries.

In this episode, Thao shares her journey of co-founding Mindful Murals with her husband. She reveals why she left the corporate world to pursue art full-time, which was stifling her creativity. Through self-teaching, researching, and the support of her husband, she learned how to paint murals.

Her work explores different varieties of flowers, her family history, and her Asian American heritage. Her art is a mixture of abstract and figurative concepts that are often broad and contrasting in style and medium ways with no limitation of color. Her work continues to evolve, using her training in traditional painting and figurative drawing to experiment with more modern ways to create art styles that are uniquely hers.

Chanchanit Martorell: Shaping Cities, Inspiring Minds, Crafting Stories - 4 X 23

Chanchanit (Chancee) Martorell is an activist, educator, urban planner, and community development practitioner. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Thai Community Development Center, which advocates for victims of human trafficking and affordable housing, among other causes.

In this episode, Chancee discusses their efforts to improve the social and economic well-being of low and moderate-income Thais and other ethnic communities in greater Los Angeles. Through human rights advocacy, affordable housing, healthcare access, and small business promotion, Chanchanit aims to create a more equitable and supportive environment for underserved communities.

Sweetening Life's Moments with Mochi Gummies - 4 X 22

Mika Shino, a first-generation Japanese entrepreneur, founded Issei Mochi Gummies in 2022. She created the world's first all-natural mochi gummy brand, which is vegan, kosher, and free of gluten, dairy, soy, and nuts. Her company, which is woman- and minority-founded, owned, and led, has disrupted the candy sector by offering a clean-label, better-for-you snack. Celebrating her Asian heritage, Shino's venture promotes diversity in the food industry and fosters cultural connections through food. In recognition of her achievements, Mika Shino was named to Inc.'s 2024 Female Founders List.

In this episode, Mika shares how working with UNESCO allowed her to taste flavors from all around the world, igniting her passion for unique culinary experiences. Driven by her intuition and the need to find healthy, organic options for her son, who has severe liver disease, Mika started her Mochi Gummies business. Her journey is a blend of global flavors and a personal mission to create delicious, health-conscious treats.

Crafting Audio Magic: Joanna Fang, Foley Artistry Extraordinaire - 4 X 21

Joanna Fang is a well-known Foley artist, actor, and sound editor, known for her work on films such as "God of War: Ragnarok", "The Invisible Man" and "Promising Young Woman". She has won the Primetime Emmy Award and other awards for her outstanding sound effects work. Joanna is also an advocate for the rights and interests of Foley artists, and has made significant contributions to the diversity and inclusion of the industry.

In this episode, Joanna shares her journey that inspired her to become a Foley artist, sharing the moments and influences that fueled her passion for sound. She offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the art of Foley, revealing how everyday objects and inventive techniques create the immersive audio experiences we often take for granted. Joanna also shares her unique experiences as the Senior Foley Artist II at Sony PlayStation, providing insights into her creative process and the exciting projects she's been part of. 

Bringing Laughter to Life, One Punchline at a Time - 4 X 20

Michelle MaliZaki (Ichiban Mom) is a Japanese immigrant mom who has been performing stand-up comedy in the Los Angeles area since 2018. Her unique perspective on motherhood, cultural differences, and life in America has made her a sought-after performer in the comedy scene.

In this episode, Michelle shares the inspiring story of her journey to the United States and the serendipitous discovery of her talent as a stand-up comedian. Michelle's candid and humorous recounting offers a heartfelt glimpse into the trials and triumphs that shaped her career in comedy.

Tune in to hear how she turned her experiences into laughter, connecting with audiences and embracing her passion.