What does it take to make a dream, reality? Any goal, any vision can be daunting when you're at the very beginning. Uneducated, inexperienced, overwhelmed...it's hard to identify or even decide what's the best place to start. And even when you do decide, getting the ball rolling and finally taking the proverbial leap is its own major feat. In one of the final conversations here on First Of All, Minji sits down with her friend, journalist Ada Tseng, to discuss the rigors of making it in in the entertainment biz as Ada prepares to release her first book, Breaking Into New Hollywood. After years of interviewing and investigating the less glamorous parts of the industry, Ada finally shares priceless insights on exactly how it takes a talented, persistent, crafty, and determined village to make magic exist on-screen...or really anywhere. And rather poetically, they reflect on Ada's pivotal role in encouraging Minji to start this very podcast 8 years ago, when AAPI podcasts and/or culture podcasts hosted by women of color were scarce and the road was unpaved and unknown. As Minji heads off into unknown territory once again as a filmmaker, actor, and content creator it's truly a full circle moment. One that hopefully inspires all the dreamers out there to keep taking risks and have fun learning as they do the work to bring their dreams into reality.

Follow Our Guest Ada Tseng:

Instagram (@adatseng88)

Order Breaking Into the New Hollywood

Follow Minji On:

• Instagram (@minjeezy)
• Instagram (@firstofallpod)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

We show up to work, to relationships, to passion projects and hobbies in various phases of our lives and do the best we can, never knowing if and how we may be changing the world around us. For director Andrew Ahn, he's never endeavored to change minds or hearts doing what he loves most (and is also really good at), which is telling funny, vulnerable, heartwarming stories through film. He simply identifies his creative north star(s), focuses on who he's doing it all for, and does his best to share something honest and relatable. In doing so, he's made a tremendous cultural impact, and his flourishing directing career - from his early works Dol and Spa Night to Driveways, Fire Island, Shonda's Bridgerton and now the heartwarming and hilarious modern remake of Ang Lee's The Wedding Banquet - are a direct result of that. In this episode, Minji sits down with her dear friend to recall the origins of his journey as well as the new challenges of maintaining authenticity in the midst of a demanding industry and diverse audience. They talk about how to be honest with yourself, and how real life lessons unfold within and parallel to the work.

Follow Our Guest Andrew Ahn:

Instagram (@andrewahnfilms)

Watch The Wedding Banquet

Follow Minji On:

• Instagram (@minjeezy)
• Instagram (@firstofallpod)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Love is a many splendored thing. Also...is love in the room with us right now when it comes to modern dating? When it comes to finding a special someone who can respond to texts in a timely manner, follow through or even initiate plans ahead of time, have basic manners, practice decent hygiene, maintain healthy boundaries with exes, ask a thoughtful question or two, be nice to your friends, & remember your birthday, amongst many other seemingly basic things... it can all feel, well, friggin impossible these days. In this episode, Minji sits down with returning guests and dating experts Julie Krafchick and Yue Xu to investigate the agony and joy of finding/receiving/manifesting love in an era that's fraught with burnout and disillusionment. How are we all actually doing? What are the blind spots to address and healthier ways to approach this journey? Is it worth it? Julie and Yue share insights that have been deeply researched and assembled beautifully in their new book How To Be Dateable, with some very personal reflections from our hosts. Let's all hold hands, take a cleansing breath, and get focused (and a little vulnerable) with this thing called love. Happy Valentine's Day, FOA fam. <3

Follow Our Guests Julie Krafchick & Yue Xu:

Instagram (@dateablepodcast)

Get the How To Be Dateable book NOW at:

https://www.dateablepodcast.com/book

Follow Minji On:

• Instagram (@minjeezy)
• Instagram (@firstofallpod)
• Bluesky (@minjeezy)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

What a year January 2025 has been. WHAT. A. YEAR. If you're one of the many humans trying calmly (or desperately) to navigate the new normal in (yet again) unprecedented times... you are so not alone. Not by any means. In this episode, Minji unloads her heart and mind on the state of the world, and the good ol' U S of A more specifically. She acknowledges that these challenging times are not for the faint of heart, and that one way or another we all must decide to step up the plate with courage, clarity, empathy and fight.

We're nearing the finish line for one of the most highly anticipated, highly stressful, highly impactful elections of our lifetimes. While we'd all felt we'd been through the worst of it in 2016 and then again in 2020, the unprecedented times have continued on...and on...and on. In the midst of all the division and angst, extremely important conversations have emerged - many that fortunately and unfortunately won't go away after this coming Tuesday passes. We have tough questions to answer, like how much of a difference we can/do actually make, what's working well and depressingly broken in the systems around us, who can we trust, and what can we do about feeling so hopeless nowadays (just to rattle off a few)? In this episode, Minji sits down to get grounded and educated by Nancy Yap, the hardworking and dedicated executive director of CAUSE, a 501(c)(3) with a mission to advance the civic and political empowerment of the API community. Nancy comes from a very humble background of little to no political interest, and now dedicates her career to advancing civic engagement, persisting vocally in her stance that we CAN and ARE making a difference. How??? Together they discuss the implications of actually showing up, the importance of community, the psychological wear and tear of our current culture, and ways to keep our eyes on what matter most in leadership, accountability, and real actual CHANGE.

For those of you on the fence or simply worn out, this is for you. This is also for those warriors who haven't given up and just need a refuel in this final stretch of a critical moment in history. Stay the course & everyone MAKE SURE TO VOTE ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 5TH!!

Follow Our Guest Nancy Yap at:

Instagram (@causeusa)

Follow Minji On:

• Instagram (@minjeezy)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Climate change is a topic that brings up existential dread in so many of us, it can overwhelm us, fill us with dread, and/or incite anger and feelings of hopelessness. It feels like an impossible problem to solve. In this episode, Minji sits down with filmmakers Danny O'Malley and Alex Rivest, co-directors of the film Canary, a look into the life of a real life superhero - glacier and climate scientist Lonnie Thompson. Lonnie has spent the past several decades of his life venturing into some of the scariest, coldest, most remote parts of our earth to gather data that has educated the world's science community on the existence and acceleration of climate change. While politics and societal chaos have taken over the facts and solutions available to leaders, there is still power within the hands of humankind ourselves. Together they unpack the journey to make the film itself and a recognition of Lonnie's legacy as a reminder that the most impossible feats are achievable with persistence, determination, luck, and faith.

Follow Our Guests Danny O'Malley and Alex Rivest:

Instagram (@dannyomalley.film)

Instagram (@rivest)

CANARY (film link) - Minji will sponsor the first 20 people to watch Canary; send proof of your rental to [email protected]

Follow Minji On:

• Instagram (@minjeezy)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

Female relationships can be insanely fulfilling...and also complicated... and sometimes downright traumatic. At some point or another, many of us humans have encountered one (or many) a mean girl. In this episode, Minji sits down with returning guest Priska - singer/songwriter and one half of the Two Horny Goats Podcast - to unpack the trials, tribulations, and lessons from dealing with layered female relationships, including friends, frenemies, bullies, family members, and more. The conversation is kicked off by the controversy surrounding Blake Lively and the questionable marketing and events surrounding the film "It Ends With Us". They dive deep into some difficult personal experiences and the impact its had as they figure out how to develop healthier relationships with themselves and other women.

Trigger warning: discussions around DV abuse

Resources for those experiencing and/or recovering from DV mentioned in the closing of this episode:

1. No More: NO MORE is a groundbreaking, global initiative comprised of the largest coalition of nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, media, schools, and individuals addressing domestic and sexual violence. Visit their website at: www.nomore.org.
2. The National Domestic Violence Hotline: A 24/7 confidential service that provides support, resources, and information for those experiencing domestic violence. You can reach them at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit their website at www.thehotline.org.
3. Futures Without Violence: An organization dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence. They provide resources for both survivors and those looking to support the cause. Learn more at www.futureswithoutviolence.org.

Follow Our Guest Priscilla Liang-Kim aka Priska:

Instagram (@priskamusik)

twohornygoats.com

Follow Minji On:

• Instagram (@minjeezy)
• Instagram (@firstofallpod)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "How Will I Know" cover by Priska

▫️ Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

▫️ This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Audio Engineer @marvinyueh

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

We’re back baby! In this solo episode, our tired but determined host Minji returns to breathe some life back into First Of All and back into herself. Celebrating another trip around the sun for both podcast and host, this milestone brings in new reflections on aging, filmmaking, friendship, authenticity & (of course) the chaotic state of the world. This one goes out to everyone holding onto hope with everything we’ve got.

Follow Minji on:

• Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
• Instagram (@minjeezy)

Our theme song is "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced by @marvinyueh

Hey FOA fam! It's been a hot minute but Minji comes back to close out an insane year of ups and downs, and some big wins and losses. Did anyone else live their best and worst year ever at the same exact time??? In a moment of exhausted reflection and hopeful encouragement, Minji sends you all a ginormous hug in her "wearing a giant hoodie (with the hoodie yanked 90% closed of course) on a comfy couch with a giant mug of tea" energy. Thank you and adios 2023.

Hi First of All listeners! While we wait for the next season of the podcast, we wanted to share something cool with you all. Please enjoy the first episode of the new hit podcast, Dear Alana, from our partners at Tenderfoot TV.

Dear Alana, is a show exploring the life of Alana Chen, a 24-year-old woman who disappeared from Boulder, Colorado in 2019. Alana left behind two dozen journals chronicling a deep faith, love of fashion, and dream of becoming a nun. She also harbored a secret. At 14, she confessed to her priest that she was attracted to women and was instructed not to tell her parents. Over the next seven years, Alana covertly received conversion therapy which her family believes played a role in her fate.

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Part 1: Mom

Simon travels to Boulder to meet Alana’s mother, Joyce, and becomes determined to help her understand what happened to Alana.

This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Listener discretion is advised.

Go deeper at https://dearalana.com/

Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ for ad-free listening and an exclusive binge at tenderfootplus.com.