Asian Pacific Voices Radio

Uncovering roots, shaping legacies: A journey of identity and healing | 3x22

In this episode we are joined by documentary filmmaker Tran Van Kirk, who’s story highlights reconnecting and reclaiming identity and the journey to self discovery. Kirk takes the initiative to help adoptees and AmerAsians from the Vietnam War with their families, and has paved a way for many individuals in the same situation. 

Kirk was born as Trần Văn Hung in DaNang, Vietnam in the summer of 1969 during the height of the Vietnam War. Immediately after being born, he was taken to the Sacred Heart Orphanage on the order of his Vietnamese grandfather, who felt shame from his daughter’s pregnancy by an American military service member. In 1972, he was adopted by a US Army Major that was serving in the Vietnam War and was raised in a wonderful loving adoptive family. After 48 years Kirk was able to wonderfully discover that his birth kin had been living in the US and spent the past few years since 2017 reconnecting to his roots. 

Kirk is an award winning Documentary Filmmaker and serves as the Director and Executive Producer for the SEA2C in-house documentary series production, "Intersections". He also serves as the Race Director for the annual Ocean View "Storm the Bay" Race series. This race series benefits the military centric programs of SEA2C. When he's not working, he enjoys long distance running, fishing, surfing, boating, and most importantly of all, quality family time. Through the SEA2C Foundation, Kirk seeks to share his blessings by reuniting war orphans with birth families and veterans separated by the war and to help each find healing from a lifetime of stigmas attached to being a part of that tumultuous time in our history.  He is also passionate about giving back to our active-duty military personnel and Veterans who have served honorably in combat to maintain the freedoms that are so often taken for granted.

Breaking Barriers, Challenging Norms with Laughter | 3x21

Standup comedian, actress, and musician: Margaret Cho shares with us her fantastic journey from her upbringing as an Asian American in San Francisco, to her riveting breakthrough into the industry. In this episode, she brings to light her experiences and challenges she had faced in the 90s and explains more about her first one-woman show: "I'm the One that I Want" that unearthed her struggles with All-American Girl (TV series 1994-1995). She also expresses the importance of representation in the comedy world and industry, and leaves us with a compelling and fundamental messages/ advice for aspiring comedians from marginalized communities who look to make their mark in the industry.

We learn more about her new tour- 'Live and Livid', celebrating 40 years of her career as a standup comedian. Her dazzling personality gleams through, as we share laughs, stories, and upcoming projects. Her unwavering support for LGBT rights has earned her accolades, and she has been recognized for her outstanding humanitarian efforts on behalf of women, Asian Americans, and the LGBT community.

Unleashing Potential, Igniting Change, Embracing the Difference | 3x20

In this episode we will be learn more about the dynamic non-profit organization AHAANA, led by visionary founder and Executive Director Nanda Mehta. AHAANA is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through their multifaceted approach encompassing advocacy, education, and direct intervention. AHAANA dresses social, educational, and health challenges faces by marginalized populations. Nanda Mehta's unwavering commitment to social welfare drives AHAANA's mission forward, creating lasting change by fostering inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. Together, they inspire hope, transform communities, and build a brighter future through their tireless dedication to social justice.

As founder and Executive director of AHAANA, Nanda Mehta, her exuberant, charismatic personality comes through in all the events she has hosted in San Diego since 2013. Having been active in Indian organizations from the time she was 19, it was natural for Mehta to create AHAANA and launch "Yoni Ki Baat." YKB is the South Asian Version of The Vagina Monologues and has received rave reviews and strong attendance for the live performances. She encourages men and women to speak about subjects that are huge taboos in South Asian culture.

Empowering Communities, Embracing Diversity: A Leader for Equity and Inclusion | 3x19

Born and raised in South Korea, Ms. Welch immigrated to the US in 1971 and became a citizen in 1974 in a special circumstance. She was the first Korean American woman to be elected on a municipal water board in the history of the Water District and the San Diego County. She has a real estate broker license from the State of California Bureau of Real Estate since 1994 to present. 

She serves as President, House of Pacific Relations International Cottages since January 2023, holding the title of first Korean/ Asian American woman elected as president since 1935. With an impressive professional background and a deep passion for addressing critical issues such as education, healthcare, and affordable housing, her vision for a thriving community is rooted in transparency, accountability, and empowering the younger generation through mentorship and youth programs.

In this episode Ms. Welch talks about her personal experiences she had faced during her early days in the US after moving from Korea. We also get deeper insight on her role as president and how her culture and background helps bridge the gaps within the Balboa Park community. 

Touching hearts with uncomfortable truths through storytelling

Recognized on the 2020 & 2021 Black List, Tricia Lee is an AAPI female filmmaker who creates heart-breaking and heart-warming features with a sense of uplifting humor. Growing up in Toronto and fighting for her Green Card in order to step-up her career in Los Angeles, she tells stories from a Canadian perspective looking in at the American Dream and loves to explore ideas around belonging, voicelessness and shared humanity.

Tricia Lee speaks about her story and what inspires her craft, with the goal to inspire, create powerful change, and change our culture in an unforgettable way. Her work empowers and inspires people from different walks of life.

Finding Her Voice Through Animation | 3x17

Eunsoo Jeong known as Koreangry is a South Korean who immigrated to the US in 2001. She’s currently comics artist and color designer in animation based in Los Angeles, California. Her zine series “Koreangry” addresses issues of racism, sexism, xenophobia, immigration and mental health as a Korean American immigrant living in the US.

Paving the Road for Younger Gymnasts | 3x16

South Korean born, Asian American Olympian, Yul Moldauer, breaks barriers and stereotypes and expresses body type in sports, specifically men's artistic gymnastics. 

In this episode, Yul talks about his early days growing up as a Korean adoptee, and how he started gymnastics as a child.  He also talks about his training and his mindset for keeping himself motivated, as well as his experiences on the US men's team representing the US at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.  Yul also shares his thoughts on what it takes to become an exceptional athlete. 

First Step Into the Film Industry | 3x15

Hayslip is a highly-regarded film producer known for his involvement in some of the biggest blockbuster films in recent history. His significant contributions to the film industry through his technical roles for major motion pictures include serving as Unit Production Manager for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Mission: Impossible—Rogue Nation, and Guardians of the Galaxy, among others. Hayslip has also produced popular TV series like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mandalorian, and Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan. Throughout his career, Hayslip has collaborated with many acclaimed filmmakers and A-list talent, including John David Washington, Christopher Nolan, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, and Michael Caine, to name just a few. With his extensive experience and impressive track record, Hayslip is a trusted and respected figure in the film industry, and his contributions have helped bring some of the most beloved films to the big screen.

Cultivating Culture Through Storytelling | 3x14

Jason Chu speaks hope and healing in a hurting world, blending high energy performances with thoughtfully crafted lyricism. As an Asian American kid in suburban Delaware, he found a vocabulary for racial identity and liberation in rap music and hip-hop culture. Starting out freestyling with friends at school, he began recording and performing music in college.

Preservation and Amplification of Legacies | 3x13

Stephanie KyeongSeon Drenka is a Korean adoptee writer and co-founder of the Dallas Asian American Historical Society, whose mission is to research, preserve, and amplify the legacy of Asian Americans in the Dallas area.

In this episode, Stephanie talks about her life as a transracial adoptee and her relationship with Korea and the Korean culture of her biological family. She shares her experiences of racism and her involvement in Asian and Korean activism and history spaces. She also describes the goals of her non-profit organization the Dallas Asian American Historical Society, and what her work looks like and draws inspiration from.