Best Asian American Podcasts (2024)

1
Living Well with Janet: How to Transform Your Life with Charles Chen of 888 Process 46:24

29m ago46:24

46:24

If you've ever felt that you needed to turn your life around, Charles Chen is someone you must know about. He is a yoga teacher, holistic chef, and the creator of 888 Process - a wellness community and collective that promotes transformation as a collective experience. He shares his message about the transformative power of holistic health and well…

1
Ep. 547: Saturday Morning Degen Catchup (ft. Mike and Steve) Pt. 1 1:10:29

1d ago1:10:29

1:10:29

Mike, Steve and Teen find time on Saturday morning of Labor Day Weekend to catch up on the markets and the economy, a few current events, what's going on in each of LA, HK, and NYC, and try to avoid the doomerism of the news cycle. Easy listening podcast for hard times.To support and get access to premium episodes, go to: patreon.com/planamag…

1
EP 494: Henry Lam On Coaching People With ADHD 50:38

3h ago50:38

50:38

Growing up, Henry Lam struggled in school, but it wasn't until he was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 2018 and received treatment that he was finally able to focus and succeed. Given what he went through, he has become a professional ADHD Coach, combining an understanding of neuroscience, psychology, and business s…

1
They Call Us The Manicurist's Daughter 52:46

3h ago52:46

52:46

Jeff and Phil welcome writer and performer Susan Lieu, author of The Manicurist's Daughter, a memoir about her search for answers after her mother dies during plastic surgery. She talks about grief, trauma, body image, her family's strident unwillingness to discuss what happened, and her attempts to find acceptance and purpose elsewhere -- includin…

1
Episode 287: Brain Coach Jim Kwik Helps Us Make Our Minds Limitless 1:01:29

1h ago1:01:29

1:01:29

Have you ever wondered if you’re living up to the full potential of your brain power? Today’s guest, Jim Kwik, has dedicated his career to helping people learn better and faster, improve focus, and optimize their memory. After experiencing a traumatic brain injury as a child, Jim faced many learning challenges and was even written off as “the boy w…

1
No Dumb Questions with Mel: How to Make It as a TV Writer in Hollywood ft. Vicky Luu 1:04:15

18m ago1:04:15

1:04:15

In this episode of No Dumb Questions, we dive deep into the world of TV writing and what it truly takes to make it in Hollywood. As someone who's always been captivated by the entertainment industry, today’s topic is particularly exciting for me. And to make it even better, we have an extraordinary guest who’s worked on incredible shows like Loot a…

1
Ep. 546: Also Known As (ft. Adam Goodman) 55:27

1h ago55:27

55:27

Adam is back! One of the regulars when Plan A got started, Adam is back to talk with Teen about his work with the transnational adoptee organization Also Known As, the importance of volunteerism, and some just some shooting of the shit.To support: patreon.com/planamagBy Escape From Plan A Podcast by Plan A Magazine

1
EP 493: NPR's Emily Kwong On Her Amazing New "Inheriting" Podcast 59:58

22h ago59:58

59:58

NPR's Emily Kwong launched the Inheriting podcast this past May, where she facilitated an in-depth conversation among members from different generations of AANHPI families. Could they identify a few critical decisions or changes in history that continue to impact and shape their families? We also discuss whether it's possible for any reporter to be…

1
EP 492: The Two Kens On Our Better Angels & 2024 DNC 47:53

1h ago47:53

47:53

The 2024 DNC ended Thursday night, so the next morning podcasters Fong and Kemp were excited to compare notes about what they heard, saw and felt during throughout this 4-night gathering of Democratic delegates to make VP Harris and Gov. Walz their 1-2 punch to keep the White House and also to prevent Trump, MAGA, and Project 2025 from gaining powe…

1
Season 9, Ep. 1: The Joy Luck Club 26:51

4h ago26:51

26:51

Saturday School is officially back for Season 9! Brian and I are here to teach your unwilling children about Asian American pop culture history (which includes Russell Wong and watermelons). The theme for this semester is "Stars of Asian American Cinema." In recent years, it's been fun to see Asian Americans starring in Hollywood hits and winning p…

1
They Call Us Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In 36:05

7d ago36:05

36:05

In this special live episode, Jeff and Phil host a post-screening Q&A with Philip Ng, star of the hit Hong Kong action movie Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. He talks about the film's epic throwback to old school action cinema, the fun of playing a wild card villain like King, working alongside legends like Sammo Hung, and who got injured durin…

1
Episode 286: Reclaiming the "Lunchbox Moment" with Bento Box Queen, Sulhee Jessica Woo 48:28

2d ago48:28

48:28

Making lunch can be enjoyable for some more than others, but for today’s guest, crafting cute & delicious meals for her kids is a true joy. Sulhee Jessica Woo’s eye-catching and mouth-watering lunches have crowned her as “The Bento Box Queen” on the Internet. We’re so excited to chat with Jessica about how she manages to make such stunning bento bo…

1
Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: Potty Training - When the Poo Hits the Floor (Literally!) 32:59

3d ago32:59

32:59

In this episode of Spill the Baby Tea, I'm diving into the wild and sometimes messy world of fully potty training a toddler boy by 2.5 years old. Potty training is no joke, and trust me, we’ve had our fair share of challenges -- like that one time we had a major potty accident at Disneyland (yes, it’s as chaotic as it sounds). I'll be sharing all t…

1
EP 491: Eve J. Chung On Her Debut Novel "Daughters Of Shandong" 53:30

11d ago53:30

53:30

Asian American author Eve J. Chung spent the first years of her life in Taiwan with her grandmother. In their shared space, Eve remembers a woman who loved her fiercely; hoarded food and fed her family fat-rich chicken skins; and used a heat lamp on her knees every night while watching Chinese period dramas. As Eve got older, she recognized these h…

1
They Call Us Dìdi (弟弟) 44:13

39m ago44:13

44:13

Jeff and Phil welcome filmmaker Sean Wang and actor Izaac Wang, writer/director and star, respectively, of the indie coming-of-age film Dìdi. They talk about capturing the very specific emotional turbulence of Asian American suburban male adolescence, revisiting nostalgia for the 2000s internet AOL Instant Messenger era, and the agonizing and savag…

1
Episode 285: Can You Reform a F*ckboi?? Perfect Match, The Bachelorette, & More Summer Shows 55:15

1h ago55:15

55:15

Summer is in full swing now, and while this is the perfect time to be outdoors and enjoying the sunshine, it’s an equally good time to be cozy on the couch with a new movie or reality TV show. Lately, we’ve been watching The Bachelorette (check out our interview with Jenn Tran on Episode 282!), Inside Out 2, and Perfect Match. There are so many emo…

1
Living Well with Janet: Summer Wellness Practices 29:07

1h ago29:07

29:07

From nutrition and morning rituals to beauty and fashion, I share my current summer wellness practices. Let me know which of these practices you also do, are interested in trying, or other wellness practices you're currently into! Become an ABG Bestie to get new audio episodes ad-free, monthly “Dear ABG” AMA sessions, discounts on merch, and shout-…

1
EP 490: Director/Writer Tom Huang & Actor Dana Lee On "Dealing With Dad" Film & AAPI Mental Health 47:18

1d ago47:18

47:18

In Director/Writer Tom Huang's 2022 film Dealing with Dad, Margaret Chang reluctantly returns to her hometown along with her hapless brothers to deal with the sudden depression of their complete-jerk father, whom everyone happens to hate. In fact, he's actually more pleasant being depressed, so the siblings wonder if it's worth struggling to get hi…

1
They Call Us Jennifer Phang 47:12

6d ago47:12

47:12

Jeff and Phil welcome filmmaker Jennifer Phang, director of Descendants: The Rise of Red, the latest installment of Disney's massively popular musical teen fantasy film series. They talk about her indie Asian American cinema roots with films like Half-Life and Advantageous, infusing some K-pop sensibility into a beloved and well-established franchi…

1
Episode 284: Meditation Pods & How to De-Stigmatize Mental Health Conversations w/ Men 1:20:43

28d ago1:20:43

1:20:43

We’re always looking for new ways to prioritize & pursue our mental health, so last month, we visited The Breathing Room in Westwood, Los Angeles (*not sponsored!). We were joined by our friends Dan and Tim, who are also on this episode to share their thoughts on this unique experience! We decided to try their meditation pods and micro-vibroacousti…

1
No Dumb Questions with Mel: Hot Takes (Couple's Edition) - Solo Vacations, Separate Bedrooms, & More! 40:30

9d ago40:30

40:30

In today’s episode, I’m bringing back a special guest: my boyfriend Ray! Last time he was on the show, we did a fun Q&A where he answered all your curious questions. This time, we’re diving into some hot takes and having a lively discussion, since we’re both pretty opinionated. We answer hot takes like "Separate vacations can strengthen a relations…

1
Ep. 544: American Default Culture (ft. John Pang) 59:04

16d ago59:04

59:04

Part 1 of 2John Pang joins Teen to talk about the phenomenon of a global return to traditional cultural norms, and where that leaves American liberal culture as it passes beyond its apex.To support: patreon.com/planamagBy Escape From Plan A Podcast by Plan A Magazine

1
EP 489: Lisa M. Gomez, Assistant Secretary of EBSA On How American Men Needlessly Struggle With Mental Health Issues 46:37

9d ago46:37

46:37

Lisa M. Gomez is the Assistant Secretary of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) in the U.S. Department of Labor (www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa). She brought with her a particular concern about the mental health of American men, especially minority men. Although I wasn't taken aback to hear that AANHPI men are the least likely to seek p…

1
Episode 283: Has Moving to New York & Long-Distance Affected Our Friendship? 1:03:20

12d ago1:03:20

1:03:20

For the first time on ABG, Mel is calling in to the studio to record an episode, all the way from New York! Ever since she moved to the East Coast, it’s been an adjustment for all three of us, not only in our friendships but also in our work. Before, we used to be able to make impromptu plans to hang out, now it takes plane tickets and a lot more p…

1
Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: Does Becoming a Parent Ruin Friendships? 32:13

14d ago32:13

32:13

How do friendships change once we become parents? It's something I definitely didn't consider much when I was pregnant, with a million thoughts swirling through my head. Now that we're 2.5 years into the parenting journey, I feel equipped to share my personal anecdotes and challenges regarding how parenthood has impacted certain relationships. From…

1
EP 488: The Two Kens On The Right's Denigration Of VP Kamala Harris 48:09

22d ago48:09

48:09

Even before the majority of delegates to the upcoming DNC had lined up behind Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Trump and the MAGA crowd began to use ad hominem attacks against her. Long-time friends and fellow podcasters Fong and Kemp kick things off by talking about their renewed optimism that Trump will be defeated again, then downs…

1
EP 487: Dr. Mako Yoshikawa On Her Journey To Understand Her Brilliant Father's Mental Illness 48:32

16d ago48:32

48:32

In this compelling collection of fifteen personal essays, Dr. Mako Yoshikawa takes us along on her journey to gain a clearer understanding of who her late father was. Secrets of the Sun "...is particularly brilliant at capturing the grief, guilt and fear that adults who experienced childhood abuse face when deciding how or whether to maintain a rel…

1
Ep. 543: A Short Rant About the Paris Opening Ceremony 6:27

17d ago6:27

6:27

This isn't a full episode, but just a short rant about the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony and what a missed opportunity it was to give the world a message of unity and hope. Instead, it was a display of narcissism and European insularity.By Escape From Plan A Podcast by Plan A Magazine

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Episode 282: Jenn Tran On What It Means to Find Love as the 1st Asian American Bachelorette 36:01

19d ago36:01

36:01

Jenn Tran is making history as the first Asian American ‘Bachelorette’ and we are so thrilled to have her on the show today! As long time fans of ‘The Bachelor’ franchise, we’ve followed Jenn’s journey from when she was a contestant to now as a leading lady. She shares what it means to her to represent her Vietnamese culture on TV, how she cooked f…

1
Living Well with Janet: My Yoga Journey 34:12

21d ago34:12

34:12

I’ve spoken often and at length about my love for yoga. In this episode I talk about how I got into yoga, why I love it so much, details about my current practice, and tips for anyone who wants to get into yoga (especially in the LA area). If you enjoyed this episode, leave your favorite yoga pose in the comments! Become an ABG Bestie to get new au…

1
S4E13: Road Trip with Ben X. Kim 1:04:53

30d ago1:04:53

1:04:53

Mic and Ben go on a road trip to nowhere in Mic's car. Mic is fully Martha's Vineyard-pilled. Ben has a poignant surf outing. 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-914169043217 F O L L O W U S https://www.instagram.com/asiannotasianpod https://www.instagram.com/nicepantsbro…

1
Ep. 541: Post-Assassination Attempt Politics (ft. Carl Zha and John Pang) 1:22:39

1M ago1:22:39

1:22:39

This is the recorded audio of a Twitter Space held by the America Watchers (Carl Zha, John Pang, and Teen) on July 19 to talk about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the selection of JD Vance, and the return of traditional "honor politics" in America.This includes the discussion between Carl, John, and Teen. There was a lot of discussion w…

1
EP 486: Dr. Kelly N. Fong On Confronting Racism & Sexism In Higher Education 1:02:13

23d ago1:02:13

1:02:13

In her no-holds-barred essay “Conditional, But Essential, Contingency,” Dr. Kelly N. Fong confronts the racism she’s faced as an Asian American woman with a PhD in historical archaeology and examines the ways she’s rejected what she terms “muted invisibility” in favor of demanding change from the predominantly white academy. https://utpress.utexas.…

1
Episode 281: Growing Up with a Sister Is Like Having a Built-In Best Friend & Worst Enemy 57:08

2M ago57:08

57:08

For better or for worse, having a sister is a lifelong friendship that you didn’t choose for yourself. Janet and Helen know just how tumultuous, but also reassuring, growing up with sisters can be. Janet and her younger sister Patty have very different personalities and interests, while Helen and her older sister Anne fought A LOT as kids. But ulti…

1
Ep. 539: Burnout Society (ft. Prof. Fred Lee) 1:26:53

28d ago1:26:53

1:26:53

Fred Lee is a professor with a joint appointment in political science and Asian American Studies. He joins Teen to talk about his observations about mass burnout, the symptoms, causes, and likely effects. Byung-Chul Han's "Burnout Society" is discussed as well as Nietzsche's notions of sovereignty and will.Part 1 of 2 -- the related bonus episode c…

1
No Dumb Questions with Mel: 5 Questions to Check in with Yourself 31:29

28d ago31:29

31:29

Well, I know that I’m not the only one having a tough year. After having some one-on-one calls with my close friends, I realize this year has rocked a lot of people already. People are facing tough times and being challenged in life! The saying “you really don’t know what people are going through” resonates more than ever. As we’re all struggling w…

1
EP 485: Dr. Sophia Yen On A Lifetime Of Hormonal Healthcare For Women 54:51

1M ago54:51

54:51

Ever since starting puberty, females must deal with hormonal challenges that males never face, e.g. menstruation (and everything that goes with that montly occurrence), then menopause, and finally life after menopause. In 2016 Dr. Sophia Yen launched PandiaHealth.com, the only women-founded and women-led online hormone health clinic and doctor-led …

1
Episode 280: Moving In with Your S.O. for the First Time - Expectations & Disagreements 49:13

1M ago49:13

49:13

Moving in with a significant other is one of the key milestones in a relationship. Learning each other's preferences and creating a home together can be extremely rewarding… but also a big test for you and your partner. Even if you have experience living with roommates, sharing a space with a S.O. can be a big adjustment. Since Mel just recently mo…

1
EP 484: Derek Ting On His Latest Action Film "Agent Recon" 54:18

2M ago54:18

54:18

A covert military task force tracks a mysterious energy disturbance at a secret base in New Mexico that is suspected of experimenting on alien technology. Once there, the team encounters an unknown being of extraordinary strength and speed, and the ability to control an army of mindless warriors. The trio must fight through the unstoppable hordes t…

1
Spill the Baby Tea with Helen: From New Mom to Mommy Influencer: How Esther Park Beat the Instagram Algorithm 53:31

1M ago53:31

53:31

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a mommy influencer? Today, I bring on Esther Park, a friend and rapidly rising star in the social media world. She shares how she grew her followers from 12,000 to nearly 200,000 in just over a year. As a content creator myself, this episode was fascinating to me, and I learned so much! She shares her …

1
S4E12: Layoff Girlies with Yowei Shaw (formerly of NPR's "Invisibilia") 1:06:42

2M ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Yowei Shaw DRIVES ALL THE WAY UP FROM PHILLY to hang with the Asian Friends and perform a custom, NPR-style intro to the podcast. Then she discusses her new podcast "Proxy" and her experiences as an layoff girlie. 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-914169043217 F O L L O…

1
They Call Us OiYan A. Poon 34:30

1M ago34:30

34:30

Jeff and Phil welcome writer and race scholar OiYan A. Poon, author of Asian American Is Not a Color: Conversations on Race, Affirmative Action and Family. She talks about breaking out of her comfort zone to write a sincere and heartfelt exploration of race relations and affirmative action, the interviews she conducted with Asian Americans who have…

1
Ep. 537: Married Single Mom 1:03:16

1M ago1:03:16

1:03:16

Jess and Teen talk about the phenomenon of married women with kids suddenly finding out in early middle age that their husband is fully checked out of family life. Teen relates personal experience as to what may be at play that causes this desire for solitude.Part 1 of 2 -- second part can be found on the Patreon feed. To join the Plan A Patreon go…

1
Episode 279: Hot Takes - Shoes Off on Airplanes, Inviting Kids to Weddings, & Stanley Cups 54:01

1M ago54:01

54:01

When you’re on an airplane, is it okay to take off your shoes? Depending on who you ask, you’ll probably get some opposing viewpoints. As humans, we all have our personal opinions and preferences, but some topics are particularly polarizing. So today, we’re sharing (and debating) our own hot takes: Should kids be invited to weddings? Is Timothée Ch…

1
Living Well with Janet: Midlife Non-Malaise with Mimi of @heymiddleage 1:05:04

1M ago1:05:04

1:05:04

Middle age is usually defined as age 40-60. Some say it begins as early as our mid-30s. I am at the beginning of that period - this year I turn 39 and I’m on the precipice of my 4th decade. As I contend with midlife and all it means in relation to my health, my relationships, and my purpose in life - I’ve been referencing how others have navigated …

1
Ep. 535: WW3 Is No Longer Purely Hypothetical (ft. Mike) Pt. 1 1:17:41

1M ago1:17:41

1:17:41

Part 1 of 2Mike joins Teen to discuss the rise of white supremacist anti-Semitism, the non-distinction between liberal interventionists and neocons, and the foreign policy reasons to consider a vote for Trump over Biden.Get access to bonus pods and Discord chat by joining our patreon: patreon.com/planamagEFPA Theme: "Escape From Plan A" by Ciel (Tw…

1
EP 483: Philip W. Chung On World Premiere of "Unbroken Blossoms" 49:27

1M ago49:27

49:27

Playwright Philip W. Chung's Unbroken Blossoms is a historical reimagining of the making of a boundary-breaking 1919 Hollywood classic that shines a light on the collateral damage in the search for "authentic" representation, and asks what price we pay for our art. Making its world premiere in East West Players David Henry Hwang Theater, Chung's im…

1
EP 482: The Two Kens On Debate Postmortem - Is Biden Too Old? 38:51

2M ago38:51

38:51

In this episode podcasters Fong and Kemp gamely try to stay out of panic mode in light of President Biden's abysmal performance at the first presidential debate against former President Donald Trump. Did Biden just show 50 million viewers that he was past his prime? Or does a person's performance on a debate stage really tell us how he or she will …

1
They Call Us Sara Jane Ho 40:06

2M ago40:06

40:06

Jeff and Phil welcome educator, socialite and etiquette expert Sara Jane Ho, host of the Netflix series Mind Your Manners and author of Mind Your Manners: How to Be Your Best Self in Any Situation. She talks about her cross-cultural, transnational journey to becoming a global etiquette leader and how context and culture are key to understanding eti…

1
Episode 278: Quitting a Corporate Job & Living Abroad in Taiwan - Catch-Up w/ Ashley Chen 45:04

2M ago45:04

45:04

We often say that your 20’s are a time for exploration and new experiences, and today’s guest has certainly proven that! You might recognize Ashley Chen from her incredible work as our former Social Media Coordinator or Episode 160 when she was on the pod to talk about transitions in your early 20’s. Now in her mid-20’s, she recently made big steps…

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