Feeling Asian

ALOK is a comedian, poet, author, and this week’s amazing guest who many of you have asked us to have on the show! We talk to them about using comedy as an instrument for social good, embracing our sense of play as adults, and the hypocrisy of gender constructs in society. Thank you Alok for the reminder to feel radicalized in the midst of devastating news rather than despair <3 Follow them at @alokvmenon and subscribe to our Patreon for more bonus content!

Yumi Nu is a model and singer-songwriter who recently graced the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, becoming the first plus-size model of Asian descent to do so!! Our hearts swell when we think about all the self-love and kindness she shows herself. We talk to Yumi about what helped her embrace her beauty, reclaiming her Asian identity later in life, and the embarrassment of butt-scooting into Ubers. Follow Yumi at @_yumi_nu on Instagram and Twitter and be sure to subscribe to Feeling Asian on Patreon for bonus content! patreon.com/FeelingAsian

Luna Li is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer…basically there’s nothing she can’t do!! Based in Toronto, the artist first took off at the height of the pandemic with her at-home jam sessions which led to her blissful debut album Duality. We talk to her about coming up as an outsider in the Toronto garage rock scene, our rider wishlists, and growing into your own in the afterglow of debuts. Put “Alone But Not Lonely” on your summer ~yearning~ playlists and follow Luna Li at @lunalilunalilunali on Instagram and @lunaliband on Twitter. And subscribe to our Patreon if you want to join us for our next Zoom hang and AMA with Youngmi’s mom on June 24! patreon.com/FeelingAsian

We are so honored to have Lucy Yu of Yu and Me Books on the pod this week! Yu and Me Books is the first female Asian American owned bookstore in NYC and we were so eager to have the founder on after Youngmi heard her speak at an event last month. Tune in to learn about how Lucy, a lifelong career changer, began as a chemical engineer but then followed her dream of opening a bookstore and eventually created a grounding community space in Chinatown. Also in this episode: tears, hot takes, and trauma bonding over college. Follow Yu and Me Books at @yuandmebooks and psst – Patreon subscribers also get summer book recs!

Zoe Si is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated cartoonist, illustrator, and a firm believer that when words fail, a cartoon can succeed. Too often, her comics and autobiographical doodles make us go “wow I feel seen.” Zoe and we talk about the craziness of being named a Pulitzer Prize finalist for your cartoons, her past life as a lawyer, and the joy of being creative on your own terms. This will be an inspiring episode for anyone who has gone or is going through a chapter in their lives where they are contemplating a new field of work. Following Zoe on Instagram (@zoesees) is a must and be sure to follow our Patreon for bonus content! patreon.com/FeelingAsian

Sheena Melwani is a content creator with the most infectious laugh known to TikTok. You may know her from her wholesome videos with her family, who love to put the biggest smile on her face (goals). We talk about letting the universe guide you and following its signs, and how it is never too late to pursue your dreams. This is especially true for mothers! We hope you tune in because this is a bright and positive one :). Follow Sheena at @sheenamelwani and be sure to subscribe to our Patreon for bonus content! patreon.com/FeelingAsian

Ke Huy Quan is an actor who most recently played leading man Waymond in Everything Everywhere All At Once. We consider this his celebratory return to the big screen given our earliest memories at the movies are of watching him in The Goonies and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom! We talked about his return to acting, why his recent role as Waymond makes him so happy and hopeful, and redefining masculinity. Thank you so much Ke for your vulnerability throughout this episode and for your beautiful perspective on what makes life so full (“you don’t know how good sweet tastes until you try sour”). Guys...you're going to love this one. Be sure to follow Ke at @kehuyquan and spread the word about this ep!

Stephanie Hsu plays Joy/Jobu Tupaki in Everything Everywhere All At Once. With a breakthrough performance where she stars opposite Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Ke Huy Kuan, the actress joins us to talk about the rock scene (*sniffles*), being kind and sweet in a cutthroat industry (*whimpers*), and allowing herself to love what she does (*cries*). We are also constantly thanking her throughout this conversation!! Follow Stephanie at @stephaniehsuofficial and if you loved this episode, subscribe to our Patreon at patreon.com/feelingasian for bonus content from this episode!

Phew. It was only a matter of time until we did this episode, and we’re pretty sure you are excited for this one as well. To celebrate Mother’s Day, we invite Youngmi’s umma Ippun and Brian’s noona Jessica to the pod and quickly learn that we are fated to become our mothers!! We also unpack some of your submissions when we asked you, “what is a conversation you wish you could have with your mom?” If you loved this episode, please like, subscribe, and follow Feeling Asian!

Alex Sujong Laughlin is a writer and audio producer who has created podcasts for the New York Times, Buzzfeed, and The Washington Post. You might know her recent work on Normal Gossip (a must-listen for nosy lovers of banal gossip)! We talk about biases in newsrooms, knowing your worth, and ghostwriting. Oh, and ghosts. Listen to Alex’s amazing work on Normal Gossip and follow her at @alexlaughs on Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share our podcast, too!