Best Asian American Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 275: From Shyness to Satisfaction - Mastering Sexual Communication with Dr. Tara 1:06:10

2h ago1:06:10

1:06:10

We’ve talked a lot about healthy communication in relationships, but when it comes to the topic of sex, partners often shy away from talking about it directly. On top of that, our experience of pleasure as women is often not prioritized, and some may even wonder: Is it possible for me to reach “the big O”? To help guide these conversations, we’ve b…

1
No Dumb Questions with Mel: How I Saved $27,000 on College Tuition 34:00

2h ago34:00

34:00

Did you know I never took the SAT? Yet I still earned a Bachelor's Degree from a four-year university! And guess what? I saved $27,000 on college tuition! How? I started at my local community college for two years before transferring to UC San Diego. In today's episode, I’ll share why I chose community college despite having a 3.8 GPA in high schoo…

1
BONUS: They Call Us 이정재 24:30

1h ago24:30

24:30

BONUS EPISODE! This is Jeff and Phil's full interview with actor Lee Jung-jae, star of Squid Game and the Star Wars series The Acolyte, presented with the unedited Korean audio (and translation by Isue Shin). He talks about joining the Star Wars franchise, making in his English-language acting debut as a Jedi master, and working with the show's you…

1
They Call Us Lee Jung-jae 29:37

2h ago29:37

29:37

Jeff and Phil welcome Korean actor Lee Jung-jae, star of Squid Game and the new Star Wars series The Acolyte. Speaking through an interpreter, he talks about joining the iconic Star Wars franchise, making in his English-language acting debut as a Jedi master, and working with the show's young stars. He also gives us The Good, The Bad, and The WTF o…

1
EP 479: Dr. Kenneth Wang On Learning How To Be Perfectly Imperfect 59:37

9h ago59:37

59:37

Clinical psychologist Dr. Kenneth Wang has spent the last 20 years researching the area of perfectionism, especially how it manifests itself in Asian Americans. This should come as no surprise, but most corporate executives are perfectionists. This trait is often one of the main reasons that they've risen to the top of their organizations, but it c…

1
Episode 274: Helen and Philip Share Their Miscarriage Story & How to Support Loved Ones 55:19

7d ago55:19

55:19

Earlier this year, Helen went through a miscarriage, and since then she’s been navigating this devastating loss alongside her husband Philip. From doctor visits to sharing the news, every step along the way has been a difficult one. It’s unfortunate to learn that about 25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and expectant parents often have to go th…

1
Ep. 530: Real Assets (Pt. 1) 1:07:01

4h ago1:07:01

1:07:01

Part 1 of 2Mike, Steve, and Teen have a discussion about buying real assets in a world dominated by financialized investment products. Primarily fun, but also maybe to hedge against future financial crises.Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamagEFPA Theme: "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerial…

1
Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: Living with Grief - Coping and Healing after Miscarriage 27:22

6d ago27:22

27:22

Whether you’re a parent or someone who has faced the heavy weight of grief, this episode is dedicated to you. From the initial shock and denial to the eventual steps towards acceptance and hope, I share my journey with grief after my miscarriage, delving into what it means to grieve, how to navigate through grief, and the importance of community an…

1
S4E9: Baysian Not Baysian with Karen Chee and Dylan Adler 1:05:17

10d ago1:05:17

1:05:17

Dylan and Karen join the show for a podcast double date. Jenny is glad to be back. Mic almost gets arrested for breakdancing. Then the Asian Friends talk about why plates are overrated. C O M E S E E U S L I V E https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hack-city-comedy-with-mic-nguyen-and-jenny-arimoto-tickets-886206927777 F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram…

1
EP 478: Virginia Duan On K-pop And Overcoming Relational Trauma 1:01:30

7h ago1:01:30

1:01:30

In her debut novel Illusive, writer, blogger, and author Virginia Duan takes readers behind the scenes in the world of K-pop to explore the paralyzing aftereffects of relational trauma and what can be done to overcome them.By Ken Fong

1
They Call Us 1587 46:17

12d ago46:17

46:17

Jeff and Phil welcome Adam King and Sam Hyun, co-founders of the Asian American sneaker brand 1587. They talk about their inspiration for starting a company dedicated to "unapologetically Asian American" footwear, and how they're celebrating our community's oft-forgotten or neglected stories through shoes. Also: The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of st…

1
Episode 273: How to Spot & Help the Narcissists in Your Life - ft. Alyssa “Lia” Mancao 46:39

11d ago46:39

46:39

Have you ever wondered if someone you know is a Narcissist? Maybe they have very high self-esteem, but when does self-confidence cross the line into an unhealthy level of self-importance? To help shed some light on this topic, we’re so excited to have Alyssa “Lia” Mancao back on the podcast! Last time, we spoke with Lia about the Importance of Chem…

1
Living Well with Janet: Food Therapy and Nutrition with Chinese Medicine Food Therapist, Zoey Gong RD 43:25

13d ago43:25

43:25

I am a big believer that food is medicine. Growing up in a Chinese household, my mother often told me (and still tells me) to eat certain foods based on Eastern philosophies of health. Once I went to college, I was more exposed to Western ways of thinking about healthy eating, which sometimes conflicted with what I was taught growing up. Through th…

1
Ep. 528: The Department of American Studies 1:20:03

10d ago1:20:03

1:20:03

John Pang joins Jess and Teen from Hangzhou, China to talk about the need to study America as it really is, what life is really like here, and get beyond the outmoded tropes about this place so that the world can better understand us.Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamagEFPA Theme: "Escape From Plan …

1
Introducing The Sympathizer Podcast from HBO 56:21

11d ago56:21

56:21

This week we're bringing you a special feed drop episode of the The Sympathizer Podcast. Enjoy! Back to your regularly scheduled Asian Friends next week! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

1
EP 477: The Two Kens On United But Hopelessly Divided? 50:32

6h ago50:32

50:32

In this latest episode of the collaborative series between longtime friends, former pastors, and fellow podcasters Ken Fong and Ken Kemp, they talk about whether the recent decision by the United Methodist denomination to remove all barriers that had prevented LGBTQ+ persons from experiencing full inclusion is a lens through which to view and under…

1
They Call Us Rising from the Ashes 38:12

1h ago38:12

38:12

In Episode 241, recorded live at Village Well Books & Coffee in Culver City, Jeff and Phil celebrate the book launch of Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire with author Paula Yoo and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Hyungwon "HK" Kang. They talk about Paula's drive to …

1
Episode 272: OG YouTube Queen Weylie Hoang Is In Her Peaceful Girl Era & Making Content for Herself 1:02:08

20d ago1:02:08

1:02:08

YouTube launched in 2005, and today’s guest was there right near the start. Weylie Hoang started her channel in 2007, with a video she filmed to teach a friend how to use a tampon. Over the years, we’ve watched her content evolve from beauty and fashion to camping, car maintenance, and traveling. We’re so excited to hear her perspective on how she’…

1
No Dumb Questions with Mel: Q&A - Am I Happy?, Do I Miss the West Coast?, Favorite Neighborhood in NYC, & What's my Next K-Drama? 35:22

23d ago35:22

35:22

Join me for a special Q&A episode where we dive into the questions YOU submitted! From updates on the bustling streets of NYC to personal reflections on happiness and anxiety, nothing is off-limits. In this episode, we tackle everything from city life to emotional well-being. Plus, I had to answer your questions on what K-Drama I'm watching next an…

1
S4E8: Hate Podcasting with Delia Cai ([formerly of] Vanity Fair) 53:09

24d ago53:09

53:09

Jenny is in Japan. Delia goes on a trip. Then, we discuss Delia's new viral newsletter. C O M E S E E U S L I V E https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hack-city-comedy-with-mic-nguyen-and-jenny-arimoto-tickets-886206927777 F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram.com/asiannotasianpod https://www.instagram.com/nicepantsbro https://www.instagram.com/jennyarimot…

1
EP 476: Jamie Jo Hoang On "My Father, The Panda Killer" 58:19

7h ago58:19

58:19

In writing My Father, The Panda Killer Vietnamese American Jamie Jo Hoang humanizes the costs and consequences of the Vietnam War through the experiences of three generations of a traumatized fictional family from South Vietnam.By Ken Fong

1
They Call Us K-Drama School 1:02:00

24d ago1:02:00

1:02:00

In Episode 240, Jeff and Phil welcome writer, stand-up comedian and media studies PhD Grace Jung, author of the book K-Drama School: A Pop Culture Inquiry into Why We Love Korean Television. They discuss the explosion of Korean dramas from bootleg VHS tapes to DramaFever (R.I.P.) to the most popular shows on worldwide streaming services; the wildes…

1
Episode 271: Is New York Too Romanticized? Our Setbacks & Successes in NYC 55:00

28d ago55:00

55:00

Mel’s settling into New York now, but before that, she sat down with Janet to talk about her expectations for the big move. Frequent listeners will know that Janet’s bounced around a lot, and at one point, NYC was a place she really hoped to live. Unfortunately, though the city is easy to romanticize, setting down roots there has its own unique set…

1
Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: How to Support (and Not Support) a Friend through Miscarriage 23:31

27d ago23:31

23:31

Today's topic is a tough one, so I want to give a heads-up: we’re diving into the difficult subject of miscarriage. Cue: “Bigger Than the Whole Sky” by Taylor Swift. About a month ago, I went through a miscarriage, and as a hopeful mom of two, it was the single most devastating thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. It's a heavy but necessary conv…

1
Ep. 526: Forget About Justice: The Ong Brothers Attack (ft. Dr. Z) 1:01:40

25d ago1:01:40

1:01:40

Hen Zee (aka Dr. Z) joins Teen to talk about the recent sentencing and imprisonment of John Ong following a 2020 racist attack at his family's home in Manhattan Chinatown. Why we need to let go of our naive belief in (legal) justice, why and how to get prepared for hostility and danger, and to let go of our childish investments in liberalist ideas.…

1
EP 475: Thomas Lee On How Bruce Lee Mastered Business, Confidence, and Success 53:09

18d ago53:09

53:09

Author and business journalist Thomas Lee has given us a refreshingly new and relevant way to appreciate the life and legacy of the late pop icon Bruce Lee. In writing The Bruce Lee Code: How the Dragon Mastered Business, Confidence, and Success, and in serving as the lead curator and editorial director of the We Are Bruce Lee exhibit in the Chines…

1
They Call Us The Sympathizer 1:44:28

19d ago1:44:28

1:44:28

In Episode 239, Jeff and Phil discuss the HBO original limited series The Sympathizer, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, with author Viet Thanh Nguyen and scholar Philip Nguyen, host of the official Sympathizer Podcast. They talk about the meta-upon-meta textual sandwich of adapting this modern classic into an epic televis…

1
Episode 270: Celebrating Toisanese Roots, Taiwanese History, & the Art of Chinese Knotting #AANHPI Heritage Month 41:42

1M ago41:42

41:42

Happy AANHPI Heritage Month! Every year, we love to highlight our personal stories and connections with our heritage. In this episode, we’re taking a deep dive into specific topics we’ve always been curious about: Why did most early immigrants from China to the US come from the Toisan region? What’s the history & symbolism behind the familiar Chine…

1
Living Well with Janet: Purposeful Living with Essentialist, Sung Yoo 51:39

1M ago51:39

51:39

I really love minimal living. Whether it’s from moving around and traveling a lot in my adult years sampling life in different cities, a desire to leave less of a negative footprint on the planet, a real resonance with the Marie Condo mindset, or a combination of all of the above - the less stuff, the better, and the more minimal and efficient the …

1
Ep. 523: Boeing and the Origins of the Fake Economy (Part 1) 1:05:33

14d ago1:05:33

1:05:33

Part 1 of 2Mike H. joins Teen to talk about Boeing's shocking failures, financialization, and how the economy became fake.Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamagEFPA Theme: "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Twitter: @aerialist)By Escape From Plan A Podcast by Plan A Magazine

1
S4E7: Big Questions with Ronny Chieng (The Daily Show) 1:07:37

14d ago1:07:37

1:07:37

Fresh off hosting The Daily Show, Ronny makes the trek out to Gowanus to hang with the Asian Friends. Ronny has some questions for Jenny. Mic has one big question for Ronny. C O M E S E E U S L I V E https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hack-city-comedy-with-mic-nguyen-and-jenny-arimoto-tickets-886206927777 F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram.com/asianno…

1
EP 474: Alexandra Chan On Loss, Myth & Magic 1:02:55

1M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

Alexandra Chan had excelled in life as a left-brain, logical and educated person. But the recent loss of her amazing father Robert Earl Chan showed her the inherent limitations of just using reason to deal with life's greatest challenges. In her new book, In the Garden Behind the Moon: A Memoir of Loss, Myth, and Magic she takes us all on this jour…

1
They Call Us Corky Lee's Asian America 53:01

9d ago53:01

53:01

In Episode 238, Jeff and Phil welcome historian and professor Mae Ngai, co-editor of the book Corky Lee's Asian America: Fifty Years of Photographic Justice, a collection of over 200 photos celebrating the history and cultural impact of the Asian American social justice movement from the lens of late photojournalist and activist Corky Lee. She talk…

1
Episode 269: Our Glow Ups & Glow Downs - From Bad Haircuts to Landing Our First Big Jobs 54:18

1M ago54:18

54:18

As people grow and change, you might find yourself in your 30s as a very different person than you were in your 20s. Teenage you might not have even imagined who you are today. So while it may be slightly embarrassing to look back at those old versions of ourselves, in this episode we’re reflecting on all the glow ups (and even glow downs) that bro…

1
No Dumb Questions with Mel: How Does It Feel to Hit 2 Years in my Romantic Relationship? 33:30

1M ago33:30

33:30

For today’s episode, it falls a bit after my 2 year anniversary with Ray. The last time I was in this long of a relationship was in high school and that was a very different time. With us moving in together, in a new city, we are definitely in a different stage in our relationship. Today, I reflect back on our relationship, compare year 1 & 2, chat…

1
Ep. 521: Columbia Protests and the Elite Schism (Part 1) 1:06:00

2M ago1:06:00

1:06:00

Part 1 of 2John Pang joins Jess and Teen to discuss what Teen saw in person at the Columbia campus over the weekend, the seriousness of the conflict, and why we are seeing internecine warfare within elite institutions and society.Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamagEFPA Theme: "Escape From Plan A" b…

1
EP 473: Newton Cheng On Helping Breakdown The Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Struggles 1:03:21

15d ago1:03:21

1:03:21

Newton Cheng is the Director of Health + Performance at Google. He's a husband, a dad, and a champion powerlifter. From all appearances, he was doing great. Even better than great! But he was privately struggling with depression and burnout. It took his decision one day to take off his mask and openly talk about his struggles to set him on a course…

1
They Call Us 3 Body Problem 52:53

16d ago52:53

52:53

In Episode 237, Jeff and Phil welcome co-creator/executive producer Alexander Woo and director Derek Tsang, two of the key creators behind the Netflix series 3 Body Problem. They talk about the challenges of adapting Liu Cixin's epic science fiction novels for a global television audience, the authenticity required to re-create a dark moment China'…

1
Episode 268: Our Biggest Failures and Mistakes & What We Learned From Them 48:25

2M ago48:25

48:25

Oof, no one likes to look back on past failures, even if it’s been years since then. But making mistakes is a part of life, and none of them define who you are or what the rest of your life will look like. Today, we share our biggest academic, relationship, and career failures – from getting a D+ on a final, to facing negative performance reviews a…

1
Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: What It’s Like to Raise Your Child in Asia, feat. Connie Ma 52:00

2M ago52:00

52:00

Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to raise your child in another country? In today’s episode, I bring my old high school friend, Connie Ma, onto the podcast to chat about the unique experience of raising a family abroad, particularly in Taiwan. Connie shares her journey from the United States to Taiwan, highlighting the challenges and joys o…

1
S4E6: Parenting During Late Stage Capitalism with Maya Deshmukh (The Other Two, AzN POP). 58:19

2M ago58:19

58:19

Jenny is joined by comedian and actress Maya Deshmukh (HBO's "The Other Two, AzN POP) to talk about being a new mom while in the confines of a global economic house fire. C O M E S E E U S L I V E https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hack-city-comedy-with-mic-nguyen-and-jenny-arimoto-tickets-859512183077?aff=erelexpmlt F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram…

1
Ep. 520: Nostalgia for Retro Tech that Soothed the Soul 58:28

2M ago58:28

58:28

Jess and Teen record a long pod about nostalgia for retro tech, only to hang up, continue the conversation, and realize the after-talk was actually the better pod. Here is the after-talk , about the virtualization of all technologies into software, the corruption of software as trojan horses into our lives, and the suspect loyalty of the technology…

1
EP 472: The Two Kens With Betsey Newenhuyse On What America Might Lose If Religious Communities Die 51:06

1M ago51:06

51:06

In this latest episode of The Two Ken's podcast series, Ken Kemp's regular guest Betsey Newenhuyse from Chicago joins us to talk about the ongoing need for regular groups of reliable, religious people, despite the burgeoning exodus from all forms of religion in America. Although unprecedented numbers of us no longer belong to a religious group or h…

1
They Call Us Monkey Man 1:00:49

2M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

In Episode 236, Jeff and Phil welcome their old friends Sujata Day (Definition Please, Heroes' Feast) and Dino-Ray Ramos (DIASPORA) to talk about the action revenge thriller Monkey Man, written/directed by and starring Dev Patel. They discuss this new take on storytelling from the South Asian diaspora, this blessed era of the Dev Patel Glow-Up, som…

1
Episode 267: Single On Purpose, But Not Forever - Put Yourself First with The Angry Therapist 55:49

2M ago55:49

55:49

In a world filled with so many influences and voices, how do you return back to your core self and rediscover your life’s purpose? Or in the words of today’s guest, how do you start living from the inside out, rather than the outside in? We’re so excited to sit down with John Kim, known for his work as The Angry Therapist. After going through a div…

1
Living Well with Janet: Turns Out that Play Is a Mindset, Not an Activity 20:49

2M ago20:49

20:49

In a previous episode, I talked about the importance of play and how I have been trying to incorporate more of it into my life. *Spoiler alert* In that episode (In My Play Era, I Took a Heels Class) I talked about how scheduling a playful activity like a dance class actually wasn’t the best way to get into a state of play. In this episode I share a…

1
EP 471: Wing Ho On Coaching Relationship-Driven Leaders 1:02:54

1M ago1:02:54

1:02:54

Wing Ho is the founder of Xcela Coaching, where he offers Leadership Coaching and Team Culture Coaching. His relational-driven approach is something that leaders today in all kinds of settings need to understand and incorporate.By Ken Fong

1
They Call Us Asian American Studies 52:38

2M ago52:38

52:38

In Episode 235, Jeff and Phil welcome Pawan Dhingra, associate provost and associate dean of the faculty at Amherst College and current president of the Association for Asian American Studies. He talks about the newly minted AAPI Studies program at Amherst -- the first of its kind for liberal arts colleges -- what's behind the seemingly sudden surg…

1
Episode 266: Janet & Mel’s Favorite Self-Development Practices and Tracking Personal Goals 53:07

2M ago53:07

53:07

When you go through big life changes, it can frequently feel like you’re unbalanced and losing control of your circumstances, even if the changes are good ones. This year, Mel’s taking big steps by moving cross-country, while Janet is stepping out of her comfort zone into a new era of carefree play. As we enter new chapters in life, what is the bes…

1
Ep. 518: Disillusioned Careerism is the Best Careerism (pt. 1) 1:02:04

1M ago1:02:04

1:02:04

Part 1 of 2Jess and Teen talk about how time and experience allows a more mercenary and disillusioned relationship with work and jobs, and how the cultish mythology around work and passion (esp in tech) was the cause and not the cure to the anxiety and pressure of careerism. Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Asian American Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide