Hosts Theodore Chao and Shari Kaku chat with Dr. Cindy Jong, Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Kentucky. Cindy, who identifies as both Thai and Guatemalan. Cindy opens up about her experiences growing up biracial and how it shaped her journey in mathematics. She reflects on the challenges and joys of navigating Asian American identity in math spaces, where stereotypes played a large role. Cindy’s stories touch on her love of problem-solving and how food, like the Thai dish Kaumangai (chicken and rice), connects her to her cultural roots.

This episode also dives into Cindy’s recent work, including an article co-authored with Jonathan Thomas and Molly Fisher, titled Being Mindful in the Mathematical Moment. Plus, Cindy shares a new project she's part of, The College Mathematics Beliefs and Belonging Survey, aimed at understanding college students' experiences in math.

This episode is packed with stories about math, identity, and of course, food! Don’t forget to check out the links to Cindy’s latest work in the show notes.