Loneliness is a universal experience that we've all had at one point or another. What's so interesting about loneliness is how we react to it and how the cultures we grew up with direct that reaction. 

This week we're talking about loneliness culture - the places, services, practices, and traditions that govern how we deal with loneliness, as well as the cultural norms that often signal to us what contexts it's "acceptable" to be alone in or not. We take a look at how the Eastern world has approached being alone, from tables for one to rentable companions. Then we explore how the Western world treats loneliness as an individual issue, how difficult it is to forge new connections especially in our adult years, and the impact this loneliness has on the mental health of our populations.

Feeling alone? Join us to get to know your loneliness a little better. And as always, you can always reach out to us and our community if you're ever feeling alone :). Email us at [email protected] or engage with us on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod

**Podcasters' Note / Correction as of 3.29.21: In this episode we mention "Ellen" Page because we pre-recorded the episode prior to his publicly coming out as Elliot Page in mainstream media. We appreciate the listener who brought this to our attention so we could make this correction. 

The armed forces is such an important and foundational group keeping our country (and our friends around the world) safe, but is often under-appreciated or not thought of, especially in the realm of jobs our immigrant parents dream for us to pursue. 

This week we speak with Major David Phetmixay from the US Air Force about his experience serving as one of the few Asian-Americans in this branch of the military. We also discuss how serving in the forces has unexpectedly allowed him to reconnect with not only his Lao/Thai roots through language immersion programs, but also connect with his extended family in Laos while on assignment acting in the key role of translator in POW / MIA missions ("Prisoner Of War", "Missing In Action"). 

We thank Major Phetmixay and everyone else currently or previously in the forces for their service and for protecting the land of the free 🇺🇸

As Taiwanese-Americans, we have a complex relationship with China. We are ethnically Chinese and deeply value connecting with the history, culture, and traditions that stemmed from our longstanding Chinese heritage, but at the same time, our families grew up in Taiwan - a place that has developed its own identity, and is certainly run by a very different type of government.

In this episode, we discuss the meteoric rise of China from the original Mao-era Cultural Revolution days to becoming a competitive semi-capitalist world superpower today. We also discuss its controversial policies, its relations with the broader global communities and with Taiwan, and what we think the future holds for China's place in the world. 

Wait, did you know that your hosts are not related!?!

Yes, lifelong friends Jesse and Angela Lin belong to different Lin families! Jesse is an only child, and Angela has an actual brother - Johnny. He's our special guest this week where we talk about the sibling experience. Growing up in an Asian family can be complicated, but the dynamics of family size can make it downright dizzying.

From the pressures of being the "eldest male heir" to the loneliness of being an only child, we leave the sibling (or lack thereof) experience all out on the table. We also discuss how identity can be reflected differently even within the same family when one sibling was born in the motherland and immigrated to the US, and the other sibling was born and raised in the States. Listen in to this episode to hear more about the differences growing up in an Asian family with a sibling vs without. 

Do you remember your first time stepping into Chinatown? It's an otherworldly experience being surrounded by throngs of people and cornered in by restaurants and shops that beckon with mysterious foods and wares. Due to the global pandemic, these amazing neighborhoods are slowly dwindling. 

This week, we're joined by Jackie Wang and Harry Trinh, two volunteers with the organization, "Welcome to Chinatown." We talk with them about what their organization is doing to help NYC Chinatown businesses during this troubled time - from organizing grants to help them pay rent to getting them get set up on online delivery systems, and more. We also share our best tips for exploring Chinatown now - from the best places to eat to the shops with the most interesting items. 

Learn more about how you can help (donating, buying merch, volunteering) at welcometochinatown.com and follow them on Instagram at @welcome.to.chinatown

For Asian-Americans, it's hard enough to reconcile if you're more Asian or more American... now imagine adding on the additional complexity of figuring out if you're more Asian or more Black. Thus far we haven't delved deeply into the impact that being bi-racial can have on one's sense of self. 

We are joined in this discussion by content creator/actor Ryan Alexander Holmes, who is half African-American, half Chinese. We discuss what his journey has been like being outwardly categorized by society as Black, while simultaneously facing rejection or skepticism from the Asian community for not "looking" like he's Asian... AND, how making his own content on Instagram & Tik Tok about this subject has opened him up to connecting in a positive way with the Asian-American community. 

We also discuss his experience visiting and living abroad in the motherland, where colorism and racism cross paths, how the Asian, Black, and broader POC communities have come together in a post-George Floyd world, and much more.

Note: The episode title is an homage to Ryan's self-proclaimed slogan on his social profiles. You can find Ryan on Instagram and Tik Tok at @ryanalexh. 

We had such a pleasure speaking with the ~positive vibes only~ singer/songwriter AZRA on another segment of Asians Doing Cool Sh*t. 

We discuss what it's like to be one of the only Asian-Americans in the music industry, the challenge of fighting the cultural pressure to "not stick out" contrasted against what it takes to succeed in the U.S., how she's had to adapt in channeling her creativity and how she connects with her fans during the COVID-19 shutdown, and even how spirituality plays into her overall message of positivity that she shares with the world every day. 

AZRA's singles "Dimension" and "Dangerous" both hit #1 on the Independent Digital Radio Airplay charts, and she was selected as a '20 GRAMMY NEXT Artist by the Recording Academy. Check out her latest single "Turn Me On" now (song on Spotify, music video on YouTube). 

You can keep up with all of AZRA's upcoming music on Spotify and by subscribing to her YouTube channel, and can connect with her on Instagram at @theazraofficial