It's been said that food connects us, straight to the heart. No one knows this better than chef, storyteller, activist and podcast host Manolo Lopez. His life's mission is to connect people by doing good things for each other and creating delicious meals from his native Puerto Rico. It's through these connections that Manolo has constructed a fascinating life driven by ever-evolving purpose. He's also one of the hosts of the Spotify original podcast "Identity At Play," which identifies meaningful moments on the journey to embracing Latinx identity. 

Follow + learn more about Manolo Lopez / On IG  / Listen to "Identity At Play"

Follow host Zeena Koda + Everything's Political

Google Marisa Mendez and the most delightful mix of photos will pop up. I dare you. A fellow native NJ-er and all around creative badass Marisa has worn many media hats as a host on New York's premiere hip-hop station Hot97, video journalist at Revolt, 2x published author, podcast host, journalist, actress, writer, producer...Marisa Does It All. 

On this episode we discuss her evolution spiritually and psychologically over the course of the pandemic, growing into a new woman and carving out a new path for herself in film, and some juicy tidbits from her time during the 2010's hip-hop heyday. 

Learn more about Marisa:

IG -  WEBSITE

A lot of people talk about doing something to change their community, some people make it their life's mission. This week I dive in with scientist turned public servant CA 51st District Assembly candidate Louis Abramson. Where is California's 51st Assembly District? A good share of LA, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and every extremely wealthy and impoverished area in-between. For anyone living in LA, visiting or just curious on the dichotomy and irony of the financial standing of the city (and how he plans to actively change it) -- this is key listening.

Follow Louis Abramson - and learn more about his campaign

On IG

Women's rights have been under assault in the US critically over the past 10 years and this year, we learned the HARD way how important it is to be an active participant in this process of living (in the US at least). Mia LeBlon has been a musician + songwriter, artist, product head, creative director, activist and most of all, a woman her whole life. We breakdown where she's been over the past year (she was on our FIRST podcast!), the battle for our rights and what it's like to deal with cockroaches in LA...the stuff nightmares are made of.

Learn more about Mia + follow her: https://www.instagram.com/mialeblon

Mother of 3. A+R head who's broken some of the world's premiere talent and worked at some of the biggest record labels on Earth - Republic, Def Jam and Epic just to name a few. Beatclub and label leader. Founder of Cousin. SIPA (Search to Involve Filipino Americans) nonprofit board member in LA. Overall creative badass Filipina. 

Not a list of achievements you see in front of everyone's name, but then again there is only one Marisa Pizzaro.

Learn more about SIPA

Follow Marisa

Stan Evans has worn many hats in his career: snowboarder, celeb photographer, host, activist...the man loves an introspective challenge. Listen to his journey as he recounts being the first Black snowboard photographer, living for the culture, growing up in Alaska and the slow degradation of values in America. One of my fave humans to speak with, a must listen. 

Please LIKE + SUBSCRIBE, pretty please! :)

Follow Stan Evans: 

SITE -- ON IG

Watch his Social Studies show

Follow Zeena + Everything's Political:

ON IG​​​ -- EP ON IG

SITE

We're BACK with SZN 2! We've all wondered what it would be like to quit our corporate job and create YouTube videos full time. Linh Huynh aka @LINH7X made that a reality after quitting her gig at Amazon, to become a YouTube personality. Over the past year she's been cranking on hot take vids and amassed a following on YouTube. Her unique story (and take on the intersectionality of AZN-ness and alt-ness I can heavily relate to) is the perfect kick-off to this new season.

Please LIKE + SUBSCRIBE everywhere. :)

Subscribe to Linh's YT channel

Follow Linh on IG 

Making a change, true change, is insurmountably challenging. Whether career, family, hobby, vocation...WHATEVER IT IS...requires positivity, humility, dedication and rigor. My career started in music and has taken many twists and turns along the way, mostly because I was willing to take the ride out of my comfort zone. I can always appreciate when people take on that daunting challenge. 

On this episode I speak to one of my most inspiring friends Doc Coyle who has transformed his life and career over the past decade. Coming from the underground music scene, he honed in on his passion for writing and interviewing after leaving band God Forbid, going on to cultivate an engaged audience with The Ex-Man Podcast. He also had a second musical wind, playing guitar in the rock band Bad Wolves, who have hit the charts + touring world over the past few years. His story of dedication and living through positivity is incredibly inspiring and badass.

We talk also talk some politics politics like the 9/11 anniversary, madness in Texas and a few fun things in between. Oh and did I mention, we used to host The Pit’s “Last Words” podcast together? 'Tis a good one, dig in.

Learn more about Doc Coyle + The Ex-Man Podcast:

ALL THE LINKS

ON IG

Low key, I’ve always wanted to be a news host. If you can’t tell by this podcast, professionally getting to know people (aka creep) is a deep passion of mine. That’s why when I meet folks like Ashan Singh, who has been blazing a new trail with ABC News, I’m doubly impressed. Listen in as we dig into his career trajectory, what prompted his desire to be a journalist and why it’s hard not to feel imposter syndrome, at even the most successful times in our careers.

A little about Ashan:

Ashan Singh has been telling stories for ABC News for over three years. Bombay-born but raised in Boston, by way of London, his perspective is global, yet uniquely American - and works to make sure every one of his stories sheds light on that experience. Ashan tells stories where culture meets humanity, and relishes in using strong visuals and music to help drive the narrative - regardless of the subject, be it politics, entertainment, or the latest trend. As an Indian-American growing up in the suburbs of Boston, Ashan’s been code-switching between communities for as long as he can remember. He lives it, breathes it, and most importantly makes his America, their America, and your America familiar, and digestible to the everyday viewer.

Follow Ashan

Working in the political sphere always felt highly appealing to me. It’s a sport, literally. A game of chance, preparation, handshakes and most of all, resources. The ultimate match of positioning meets gumption. Whenever I meet someone who is young, vibrant, attuned and overall badass conquering the inner working of the political space it’s a clear moment for pause. Enter in someone I have admired from afar for sometime but finally had the privilege of sitting down with, Run AAPI Executive Director and political consultant, Linh Nguyen.

Linh’s light work includes heading up Run AAPI as executive director, an organization centered around getting young AAPI voters registered and invested in politics for their future by rewriting the cultural and political narrative on what it means to be AAPI in America. She is also a political consultant that spends time helping California’s Governor Newsom navigate the state’s disaster relief. She’s worked in the election field steering campaigns for Cory Booker, Hilary Clinton + many others. As a fellow Asian American woman, we dig into so many of the notions held against us, our parallel struggles and LOLZ about the many contradictions that you are faced with when navigating the political space. You can catch her on MSNBC or one of many other top-tier outlets lending her expertise to the world at large.

My dog blows it up in the cast a few times, gotta love the living, working, making art at home life! Enjoy it, one of my faves to date and she is BADASS.

Follow Linh + learn more about Run AAPI:

LINH ON TWITTER 

RUN AAPI ON IG / ON TWITTER

RUN AAPI WEBSITE