First of All

Things can go wrong and they usually will. As prepared or as positive and optimistic as anyone can be with a professional project, what do you do when plans just fall apart? What do you do when stakes are high, technical difficulties come at you one after another, key players fall through, budgets get strained, relationships get rocky, and your frazzled team is counting on you to help pull through the chaos? In this episode, Minji shares some key lessons learned from over a decade of producing live events, project management, & leading teams of people.  After a particularly challenging Kollaboration production wrapped, she provides a debrief of how to plan, execute & stay flexible when things don't turn out the way you expected. And how even in the middle of stressful situations, you can find a way to power through it and gain valuable insight on how to become wiser, savvier, and more effective moving forward. What does not kill us makes us stronger, yall. 

Follow Minji on:

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

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC

The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.

Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

The Five Love Languages book was originally published back in '92, but its theories have become a widely analyzed & applied framework to understand how us weirdo human beings give & receive love. Whether we're talking about romance, family, friendships, or even co-workers, we all show affection & feel appreciated in very different ways. The love language paradigm has opened up conversations between partners & friends, but maybe most importantly, within ourselves to self-identify our own tendencies & preferences. Ideally these assessments could help lead us to more fulfillment & understanding rather than resentment, exhaustion, or feeling like we're better off living alone on a remote island with an inanimate object for a partner. Minji sits down for an honest conversation with her boyfriend Kenji about their love languages & how they exist IRL on a day to day basis. How does it impact their perspectives, how does it impact fights & days when everything feels off? How have they changed over time? How can one make the conscious choice to speak someone's language in order to better care for them? Hold onto your hats & get ready for a deep dive on words of affirmation, physical touch, gifts, acts of service, & quality time. 

This week's guest:

• Kenji Tsukamoto

Follow Minji on:

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

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina

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

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC

The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.

Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

The mental health conversation has opened up so much more in recent years & we are here for it. Still, the process of opening up about our innermost struggles whether with a trusted friend in private, or say, on a podcast, can be a daunting task. When it comes to being honest about inner demons & bouts of hopelessness, sometimes the biggest challenge can be being real with ourselves first & foremost. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend & fellow actor Edward Hong. He opens up about his journey country (and culture)-hopping around the globe from a young age. With a number of unique challenges being othered & bullied on a daily basis, to a very difficult relationship with his father, Edward shares his process of dealing with anger & mental exhaustion through different coping mechanisms including arts, friends, & even school faculty who helped channel & address larger issues. Together they also discuss pop culture takes on violence, revenge & survival. 

Disclaimer: this episode deals with heavy themes & potentially triggering topics. Please be mindful of this & take care of yourself. These personal stories that are meant to connect & help provide hope for those who are struggling. 

This week's guest:

• Edward Hong (@CinnabonMonster)

Follow Minji on:

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

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

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

Produced and edited by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC

The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.

Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

For those of us who are blessed to go through life relatively healthy can easily take our ease of well-being for granted. We feel strong, we can skimp on sleep, eat whatever we want, live without much pain or physical limitations. But what happens when your body starts to show signs that it is not fact invincible?/? How do we deal with the mental, emotional, & (duh) physical challenges of getting back into good health? Or maybe accepting a whole new state of being? In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend, actor & stuntman Josh Han. Josh shares his story of dealing with an autoimmune disease that he was diagnosed with at 21, & the painful unforeseen path he found himself on right in the middle of dating, working & chasing his dream/side hustle. They discuss how they've dealt with their bodies shutting down over time & what they do to better take care of themselves.

This week's guest:

• Josh Han (@TheJoshHan)

Follow Minji on:

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

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

Follow the show on Instagram and Twitter and support our Patreon

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

Produced and edited by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC

The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.

Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

Body issues, amirite? Learning to find love or even a tolerable acceptance of your body as it is can be a lifelong challenge. In an age where we’re more openly talking about body positivity & self-love, HOW DOES ONE ACTUALLY LIVE IT IRL??? Asking for a friend. In this incredibly personal episode of FOA, Minji sits down with Regina Fang from Perfectly Imperfect Podcast to spill the tea on how they truly & honestly inhabit the skin they’re in. We’re talking about obsessive jealousy to low-key body dysmorphia, cultural shaming, & more. They discuss the consequences of old habits & strategic brain hacking & how they’ve made progress in the real honest to goodness self-love thing.

This week's guest:

• Regina Fang (@REGINAFANG)

Follow Minji on:

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

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest 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

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC

The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.

Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

We’re all in transition from one thing to another, but sometimes bigger changes take hold of us. Whether it’s leaving a job, moving to a new city, letting go of a loved one, starting over is HARD. The self-doubt, the loss, the complete & utter uncharted territory…yeah, it can be a lot. In this week’s episode, Minji sits down with her friend & roommate Kelly, a young woman smack in the middle of taking ownership of her life after a separation & navigating a rediscovery of herself as an individual. Together they walk through the process of making tough decisions & coping with the outcomes - good, bad, surprising, overwhelming & everything in between. Turns out it’s never too late to start over, take the good with the bad, & make conscious choices on how your life will go from here on out while embracing the unknown.

This week's guest:

• Kelly Nickels (IG: @kelly_nickels)

Follow Minji on:

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

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest 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

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC

The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.

Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

Maybe you're sick of working your 9-5. Maybe you have a brilliant business idea that you're dabbling in on the side that could make you the next Elon Musk. Maybe you're dying to jump ship from corporate life & become a performance artist. You could make films (or a podcast!), start a YouTube channel, or manufacture adorable plushies from your apartment to sell on Etsy after your regular work hours. Perhaps you could become a highly paid consultant who works & also writes the next great American novel from a laptop in Rome. The world of side hustle & freelancing is vast & it has reached a new level of possibility & desirability. But what is it really like & what kinds of challenges does this lifestyle entail? In this introductory episode, Minji shares her journey of pursuing a medical career to working a corporate job while chasing her dreams of working in entertainment on the side & eventually full time. She shares the harsh realities & lessons learned, from surviving the financial instability & scarcity of time to managing relationships & crucial administrative logistics. If you've got stars in your eyes, we're here to help them shine even brighter while also keeping your feet on the ground. 

Follow Minji on:

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

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest 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

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC

The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.

Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

In this solo episode, Minji shares updates on her first live event with Perfectly Imperfect Podcast & AsianBossGirl: Off The Mic, some transformational lessons learned throughout the process, and exciting announcements for FOA. She also reflects on where she's at since she lost one of her best friends one year ago, & her ongoing thoughts on weathering life's toughest storms. Sending the FOA audience light & love. 

Follow Minji on:

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

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest 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

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC

The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.

Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

Toxic masculinity has had it's moment in the intense UV-ray beaming sun. We'd like to talk about a lesser discussed topic: toxic femininity. Some people argue strongly that it's not actually a thing, & that conversation gets intense real quick. In this episode, we sit down to at least entertain this real concept & discuss how it can impact our identities no matter what gender we align with. Minji sits down with her friend Jennii Vo Le to walk through the masculine & feminine energies, & how we all have both within us no matter what our identification. This is a deep dive on the narrow & repressive description of womanhood or feminine traits, plus the problematic consequences of it all - confusion, anger, & acceptance of rampant violence & oppression. Get your tea, cold compress & inhaler ready, everyone. 

This week's guest:

• Jennii Vo Le (IG: @j8nnii)

Follow Minji on:

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

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest 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

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC

The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.

Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast

So you messed up. You made a big mistake, maybe even hurt someone, & now you just need to apologize. Simple right? Not usually. If you're a normal human being, communicating a sincere apology can be anxiety-inducing, annoying, embarrassing, or just downright terrifying. And even on the receiving end, there's laundry list of non-apologies that people love to throw around, like the super common "I'm sorry you feel that way" or "that wasn't my intention." How does one actually give an apology, and also, why is it so hard? To dive into this layered topic, Minji sits down with her friend Kevyn Fong to share their perspectives, experiences, & advice on becoming a better human who can own up to their mistakes. They talk everything from public professional flubs (HI, SHANE GILLIS), minor friendship/dating infractions, & healing fights with loved ones. 

This week's guest:

• Kevyn Fong (IG: @level4alpha)

Follow Minji on:

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

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest 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

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC

The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.

Henry VI at The Public with an all AAPI cast