Mike Yee, Writer at AAP, is a consultant, writer, wrestler and rapper, of Fijian Chinese descent. He is also the founder of coffee micro-roastery 'Sleepy Bloc'. We do a whistle-stop tour of Mike's creative pursuits and the ways he personally advocates and champions ethnic diversity within Sydney's suburban fabric. From anime to comedy to politics, we discuss the multitudes of ways we can support the Asian Australian community on an every day basis. 

Episode outline:

1. An introduction to Mike's multi-hyphenated identity

2. Championing local and community level representation

3. Seeing anime culture in mainstream media

4. The commodification and stereotyping of Asian Australian culture

5. Advocacy and impact as daily actions

6. Asian Australian engagement with politics

This episode is the fifth and final part of a collaboration between A Seat at Our Table & the Asian Australian Project (AAP). AAP at Our Table is a five part series where we sit down with various members of AAP, take a look behind the scenes, and get to know the diverse stories that make up the organisation.

About AAP:

The Asian Australian Project (AAP) is a not-for-profit initiative run by and for young Asian-Australians and more broadly, Asians Between Cultures (ABCs): those who grow up sharing cultural influences from both the East and the West.

Living in a multicultural society like Australia is a unique and often confusing experience for many ABCs. AAP wants to help facilitate their journey in growing their awareness and understanding of the nuances of these unique cultural experiences while nurturing a surrounding network and community.

Follow AAP:

- Website: https://asianaustralianproject.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianaustralianproject/

- Email: [email protected]

References & Resources:

- Mike's linkr.ee: https://linktr.ee/xtrilliams

- Besto Friendo's podcast: https://www.instagram.com/bofospodcast/

- Sleepy Bloc Coffee & Goods: https://shopsleepybloc.square.site/

Join our conversation on Instagram @aseatatourtable.podcast and on our website aseatatourtable.com.au.

Music credits:

- Track: Waves are beautiful only when they break — Seoul June [Audio Library Release]

- Music provided by Audio Library Plus

- Watch: https://youtu.be/cka7swyWQ_k

- Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/waves

Charlene Behal, Writer at AAP, is an Asian Australian of Indian, Vietnamese and Filipino heritage. We chat to Charlene about her upbringing, the conflicting dialogues she has about her identity, the impact of not seeing ourselves represented in media, and how she learnt to embrace her mixed Asian Australian identity personally and professionally.

Episode outline:

1. Growing up as a mixed Asian Australian in Melbourne

2. Discovering the Asian Australian community

3. Pursuing a career in media and arts

4. Why media representation of mixed identities matters

5. The impact Charlene aims to have as a writer

This episode is the fourth part of a collaboration between A Seat at Our Table & the Asian Australian Project (AAP). AAP at Our Table is a five part series where we sit down with various members of AAP, take a look behind the scenes, and get to know the diverse stories that make up the organisation.

About AAP:

The Asian Australian Project (AAP) is a not-for-profit initiative run by and for young Asian-Australians and more broadly, Asians Between Cultures (ABCs): those who grow up sharing cultural influences from both the East and the West.

Living in a multicultural society like Australia is a unique and often confusing experience for many ABCs. AAP wants to help facilitate their journey in growing their awareness and understanding of the nuances of these unique cultural experiences while nurturing a surrounding network and community.

Follow AAP:

- Website: https://asianaustralianproject.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianaustralianproject/

- Email: [email protected]

References & Resources:

- 2021: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly? - The Wins and Triumphs by Charlene Behal

- 'Tan and Lovely?' - the intersection of colourism as an Asian-Australian by Charlene Behal

- From West to East: Reading with an Asian lens by Charlene Behal

- Charlene's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lenebehal

Join our conversation on Instagram @aseatatourtable.podcast and on our website aseatatourtable.com.au.

Music credits:

- Track: Waves are beautiful only when they break — Seoul June [Audio Library Release]

- Music provided by Audio Library Plus

- Watch: https://youtu.be/cka7swyWQ_k

- Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/waves

Happy holidays, friends! 2022 has been a massive year for us, for the podcast and personally. We reflect on how far we've come this year compared to where we were last year (spoiler: we've come leaps and bounds). Sit down and catch up with us as we get vulnerable and talk through our lowlights, highlights, learnings and growth.

Episode outline:

1. Highlights from our Spotify Wrapped

2. Favourite moments and biggest challenges from doing the podcast

3. Checking in on our 2022 new year's resolutions

4. What energised and drained us in 2022

5. How our relationships evolved this year

6. What we will work on in 2023

Join our conversation on Instagram @aseatatourtable.podcast and on our website aseatatourtable.com.au.

Reflection questions:

1. How would you describe this year?

2. What were your favourite moments?

3. What energised you? What drained you?

4. How did your relationship with yourself evolve? How about with others?

5. What do you want the overarching theme to be in 2023?

6. How will you help yourself and others in 2023?

7. What personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen?

Music credits:

- Track: Waves are beautiful only when they break — Seoul June [Audio Library Release]

- Music provided by Audio Library Plus

- Watch: https://youtu.be/cka7swyWQ_k

- Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/waves

Lina Ali, AAP's Lead Editor, is a Muslim Indian-Australian writer. She has been published by ABC, SBS Voices, Meanjin Quarterly and Sydney Opera House. We chat to Lina about Asian Australian representation beyond East Asian stories, her drive to write about the topics people don't talk about, and what our media landscape can do to better support diverse voices.

Episode outline:

1. Writing about the diasporic experience

2. Problematic South Asian representation in media

3. The tensions within the Muslim Indian-Australian identity

4. Lina's writing process from personal experience to public expression

5. What great media representation looks like

This episode is the third part of a collaboration between A Seat at Our Table & the Asian Australian Project (AAP). AAP at Our Table is a five part series where we sit down with various members of AAP, take a look behind the scenes, and get to know the diverse stories that make up the organisation.

About AAP:

The Asian Australian Project (AAP) is a not-for-profit initiative run by and for young Asian-Australians and more broadly, Asians Between Cultures (ABCs): those who grow up sharing cultural influences from both the East and the West.

Living in a multicultural society like Australia is a unique and often confusing experience for many ABCs. AAP wants to help facilitate their journey in growing their awareness and understanding of the nuances of these unique cultural experiences while nurturing a surrounding network and community.

Follow AAP:

- Website: https://asianaustralianproject.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianaustralianproject/

References & Resources:

- Here Out West

- Shaking Hands Suffocate by Lina Ali

- We’re Not Immune: A Reality Check about Eating Disorders within Asian communities by Lina Ali

- How Lina separated mental health struggles from her 'worth' as a Muslim by Lina Ali

- Delivery from Hyderabad House: Love, family and resilience by Lina Ali

Join our conversation on Instagram @aseatatourtable.podcast and on our website aseatatourtable.com.au.

Music credits:

- Track: Waves are beautiful only when they break — Seoul June [Audio Library Release]

- Music provided by Audio Library Plus

- Watch: https://youtu.be/cka7swyWQ_k

- Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/waves

Carrie Feng (Marketing Director) and Robin Lao (Design Director) talks us through the process of rebranding AAP as a not-for-profit, and how design is leveraged to create a distinct brand identity for social impact. We chat about why AAP’s brand stands out, being controversial, and community building. 

Episode outline: 

1. The importance of accessible design 

2. AAP's brand: before, now and in the future 

3. Carving out a distinct identity as a not-for-profit 

4. Engaging with community through design 

5. Not shying away from controversial topics 

6. Lessons learnt from AAP 

This episode is the second part of a collaboration between A Seat at Our Table & the Asian Australian Project (AAP). AAP at Our Table is a five part series where we sit down with various members of AAP, take a look behind the scenes, and get to know the diverse stories that make up the organisation. 

About AAP: 

The Asian Australian Project (AAP) is a not-for-profit initiative run by and for young Asian-Australians and more broadly, Asians Between Cultures (ABCs): those who grow up sharing cultural influences from both the East and the West. 

Living in a multicultural society like Australia is a unique and often confusing experience for many ABCs. AAP wants to help facilitate their journey in growing their awareness and understanding of the nuances of these unique cultural experiences while nurturing a surrounding network and community. 

Follow AAP:

- Website: https://asianaustralianproject.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianaustralianproject/

- Email: [email protected]

References & Resources: 

- Carrie's portfolio: https://carriefeng.com/ 

- Robin's portfolio: https://www.robinlao.com/ 

- Resources for understanding and fighting racism in Australia: https://asianaustralianproject.com/resources/

Join our conversation on Instagram @aseatatourtable.podcast and on our website aseatatourtable.com.au.

Music credits:

- Track: Waves are beautiful only when they break — Seoul June [Audio Library Release]

- Music provided by Audio Library Plus

- Watch: https://youtu.be/cka7swyWQ_k

- Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/waves

Michelle Lim, President of AAP, joins us in a conversation about leading a not-for-profit organisation, working as a social worker, her identity as a third culture kid, and everything we need to know about AAP.

Episode outline:

1. Being Asian Australian and a third culture kid

2. AAP's role in our community

3. Balancing the 9-5, AAP and other volunteer work

4. AAP's initiatives 

5. How AAP has shaped Michelle

6. Tips on getting started with social justice work

This episode is the first part of a collaboration between A Seat at Our Table & the Asian Australian Project (AAP). AAP at Our Table is a five part series where we sit down with various members of AAP, take a look behind the scenes, and get to know the diverse stories that make up the organisation.

About AAP:

The Asian Australian Project (AAP) is a not-for-profit initiative run by and for young Asian-Australians and more broadly, Asians Between Cultures (ABCs): those who grow up sharing cultural influences from both the East and the West.

Living in a multicultural society like Australia is a unique and often confusing experience for many ABCs. AAP wants to help facilitate their journey in growing their awareness and understanding of the nuances of these unique cultural experiences while nurturing a surrounding network and community.

Follow AAP:

- Website: https://asianaustralianproject.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianaustralianproject/

- Email: [email protected]

References & Resources:

- Submission to the Australian Human Rights Commission: Developing a National Anti-Racism Framework

- Resources for understanding and fighting racism in Australia: https://asianaustralianproject.com/resources/

Join our conversation on Instagram @aseatatourtable.podcast and on our website aseatatourtable.com.au.

Music credits:

- Track: Waves are beautiful only when they break — Seoul June [Audio Library Release]

- Music provided by Audio Library Plus

- Watch: https://youtu.be/cka7swyWQ_k

- Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/waves

What does love and emotion look like in an Asian household? When "I love you" is not a part of our vocabulary, how is love expressed in an Asian family? We take a look at loving through food and service, the roundabout ways we say "I love you" to our parents, and all that's left unsaid. 

Episode outline:

1. Why saying 'I love you' is so difficult

2. How we process and express emotions in an Asian household

3. Loving through acts of service

4. Food as the sixth love language

5. How we love now

Join our conversation on Instagram @aseatatourtable.podcast and on our website aseatatourtable.com.au.

References & Resources:

- Why "I love you" is so elusive for Asian immigrant families like mine

- The Role of Silence in Asian American Families

- What Does Love As A First Generation Asian-American Look Like?

- "Have You Eaten Yet?": Food is the Ultimate Asian Love Language

- 5 Asian Love Languages

Episode transcripts: https://www.aseatatourtable.com.au/episodes

Music credits:

- Track: Waves are beautiful only when they break — Seoul June [Audio Library Release]

- Music provided by Audio Library Plus

- Watch: https://youtu.be/cka7swyWQ_k

- Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/waves

How inclusive is your industry? The Create Space census is Australian advertising's first-ever industry-wide diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) survey by Advertising Council Australia and Kantar. As creative professionals passionate about this area, we dive deep into the findings, what they mean, and our experiences with DE&I in multiple areas within the industry.

Episode outline:

1. The good and the bad

2. Gender equality

3. Ethnic diversity

4. Physical ability and mental health

5. LGBTQI+ representation

6.  Age discrimination

7. Social mobility

8. The industry's next steps

9. Ways we can support D&I

Join our conversation on Instagram @aseatatourtable.podcast and on our website aseatatourtable.com.au.

References & Resources:

- The Create Space Report

- Create Space Resources

- Guide to Tackling Microaggressions

- Six ways to actually support diversity

- #OnlyOneInTheRoom Destroy This Brief

Episode transcript: https://www.aseatatourtable.com.au/episodes

Music credits:

- Track: Waves are beautiful only when they break — Seoul June [Audio Library Release]

- Music provided by Audio Library Plus

- Watch: https://youtu.be/cka7swyWQ_k

- Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/waves

Ilin Ho is a multidisciplinary artist who explores the reinvention of old materials and the founder of Artists' Apparel. Artists' Apparel opens the opportunity for more conversations surrounding mental health as many designs were created with a focus on depression and anxiety. We chat to Ilin about her personal experiences with mental health and art, her 'failures' and lessons leading up to Artists' Apparel, and her creative process as artist and small business owner. 

Episode outline:

1. Ilin's journey to becoming an artist and starting Artists' Apparel

2. Ilin's personal experiences and evolving relationship with mental health  

3. Behind the scenes of running Artists' Apparel

4. Lessons learnt and looking towards a sustainable future

Join our conversation on Instagram @aseatatourtable.podcast and on our website aseatatourtable.com.au.

Follow Artists' Apparel:

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artists_apparel/

- Website: https://artistsapparel.com/

Episode transcript: https://www.aseatatourtable.com.au/episodes

Music credits:

- Track: Waves are beautiful only when they break — Seoul June [Audio Library Release]

- Music provided by Audio Library Plus

- Watch: https://youtu.be/cka7swyWQ_k

- Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/waves

From YouTube to music to TV, who were our Asian idols growing up? We unpack the Asian media landscape that shaped us, pay homage to the OG trailblazers, and analyse the current state of Asian representation in media. 

Episode outline: 

1. The Asian idols we grew up with 

2. The different types of Asian stereotypes in media 

3. Why it matters to have authentic stories in mainstream media 

4. The Asian Australian landscape vs the Asian American landscape 

Join our conversation on Instagram @aseatatourtable.podcast and on our website aseatatourtable.com.au.

References: 

- Media Matters: Why Asian American Representation in Media is a Social Justice Issue

- Asian Americans Are Poorly Represented in Hollywood, Study Shows

- Why Asian-Australian actors are making it big in Hollywood but not at home 

Music credits:

- Track: Waves are beautiful only when they break — Seoul June [Audio Library Release]

- Music provided by Audio Library Plus

- Watch: https://youtu.be/cka7swyWQ_k

- Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/waves