First of All

With heavy expectations from family & friends, changing trends, & constantly shifting priorities, how do we handle that lofty ideal of "staying true to yourself"? What does that even mean? The process of growing as a person definitely involves asking some tough questions and making big choices about our time, energy & responsibilities. To unpack this, Minji sits down with her friend, rapper James Han aka UZUHAN during a visit to LA.  From shifting career focuses to leaving the nest & moving to Atlanta as a Korean American artist & a strong man of faith, James knows the challenges of accepting who he is when everyone is ready to put him in a box or measure him by certain (sometimes whack) expectations. From rocking his own personal style, hustling to pay the bills, defining what it means to be a man & pursuing/marrying the woman of his dreams, James's story is so relatable to anyone who's learning how to love themselves while being a work in progress

This week's guest:

• James Han aka Uzuhan (@uzuhanmusic)

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 week's episode, Minji sits down with Boba Guys co-founder Andrew Chau for a deep dive on the elements that contribute to culture and how we continue to shape it. Even before he became half of the dynamic duo that made Taiwanese tapioca pearls and milk tea mainstream, Andrew has been fascinated by how things work, how people interact and what makes us tick. He talks about riding bikes in the Jersey suburbs , celebrating college graduation at the restaurant where his parents met as immigrant workers and actualizing his dad's refugee dream to pursue whatever he wanted. Together they discuss how our unique journeys, values & habits translate into the work we do, which is why his own business is driven by a mission statement to bridge culture. This conversation is better than (OK, just as valuable as) any MBA course of how to take an idea into reality and how to connect it to the world around you. 

This week's guest:

• Andrew Chau, Co-Founder of Boba Guys (@chaumeleon)

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

Did you or anyone EVER actually have "the talk" with their parents? How did you learn what sex was? SexED? Movies + TV? When/how did you discover porn? How did it effect your attitude as a grown up? Sex is a huge driving force and one prolonged mystery to many of us out there. Some people have been wildly fortunate to have nurturing, mature elders who provide a safe entry into the world of intimacy and carnal knowledge, while the rest...were left to our own devices. In this episode, Minji sits down with Mel Cheng from the amazing Asian Boss Girl Podcast to start unpacking this doozy of a topic. Together they share their experiences learning about what sex is and how to become a healthy and mature sexual human being. Whether it's about the mechanics, the psychology, or the deeply emotional parts of sex, we are all figuring this out yall. Grab a drink or a fluffy pillow, and let's talk.

Exciting announcement: Asian Boss Girl + Perfectly Imperfect + First Of All podcasts will be collaborating for an exciting full day event called Off the Mic at Ethos Society in Los Angeles on 10/5/19! Get details on IG (links are in the bio)!

This week's guest:

Follow Minji on:

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

We’ve talked a lot about how we’ve been doing mentally, spiritually, & emotionally, but what about our BODIES? How do self-care & mental health incorporate physical fitness, daily habits & diet? SO GLAD YOU ASKED! In this week’s episode fo First Of All, Minji sits down with Clinical Nutritionist & YouTube host Autumn Bates to talk about wellness from a holistic & physical standpoint. For some people, researching fitness regimens, understanding our dietary needs, or learning our basic hormonal/chemical reactions can be daunting. For some people, it can be a passion & an ongoing journey of growth & education. But all in all, it is such a fundamental part of our daily lives. In addition to the fun scientific stuff, Autumn & Minji also discuss career paths, relationships, & ways that fitness & wellness interplay with our lives as a whole. With Autumn’s expertise of breaking down the clinical into simple & relatable, this conversation is an honest & helpful way to look how to tweak our mindsets & our behaviors to work, rest, look & feel better.

This week's guest:

Follow Minji on:

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

Whether it's burnout, tragedy, or just a temporary setback in life, it can feel hard or even impossible to bounce back & carry on. In the middle of chaos or our darkest moments, we can feel tired or lost or just plain helpless. How do you see the light at the end of the tunnel? How to pull yourself up and keep moving forward? In this episode, Minji sits down with her amazing friend, actor & singer-songwriter Megan Lee to talk about finding inner strength & embracing our ability to be RESILIENT beyond what we ever believed. Together they talk through some of their dark moments as professionals, as women, as a family member & as a friend. They discuss how they powered through each moment to finally get to a better place & built upon past experiences. In a global culture that glorifies being "strong" & "powerful", it's good to remember that that can come in all forms - like asking for help, setting clear boundaries, or learning how to care for yourself in quiet moments on a daily basis.

• Megan Lee (@hellomeganlee)

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

DREAM BIG, they say. GO BIG OR GO HOME, they say. We are here for ALL of it....but it also helps to know what it’s really like for people like us who are actually doing all of the above. Actualizing a grand vision, a lifelong dream, or ambitious goal looks different for everyone, but there are universally shared experiences and feelings that anyone can learn from. In this episode of First Of All, Minji catches up with her dear friend, comedian/host/actor Joon Lee from JoonLeeComedy, as he dives into his brand new life in LA. The last time they spoke in Atlanta back in 2018, Joon shared his aspirations of pursuing comedy & acting full-time. Now the wheels are in motion, and he’s taken the plunge to come to Hollywood. Together they talk about his journey going from church plays, experiencing college & corporate life, going viral on Instagram, & learning what it really takes to make it in the biz. They discuss the challenges of staying motivated, disciplined, & committed to professional growth while also having space to figure things out as a person. For everyone in pursuit of something bigger, we understand and we got your back.

This week's guest:

Follow Minji on:

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

It's safe to say that no one likes confrontation. It's uncomfortable, it's scary, it's awkward, & you don't know what the results are going to be. Whether you're talking with a significant other, a boss, your congressional representative, or yourSELF, being 100% open, honest, mature, & constructive with someone else when you're defensive, fearful, or just plain angry can feel like it's just near impossible. So instead of talking it out.. maybe you procrastinate, maybe you play the blame game, or maybe you just run away completely & call it a day. This week, Minji sits down with her friend, actor/writer Byron James, to go through some key moments in their lives when difficult conversations were unavoidable but monumentally important in their careers & relationships. They talk about taking responsibility, taking in different perspectives, learning how to actually listen to others, & how those lessons continue to apply to every situation & every relationship they have. Big changes, even massive societal shifts involving culture, religion & race, can come from small actions that we take everyday. So let's sit down & talk this out fam.

This week's guest:

Follow Minji on:

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

We’ve been on a mental & emotional deep diving streak here on First Of All, & this time we’re back on one of our fav topics: DATING. There’s so much from our previous episodes that come into play in this murky, beautiful, maddening world of chemistry & courtship - love, anxiety, stress, self-discovery, the list goes on. Minji invites Steve Lim aka Slim back to FOA to get updates on his dating life since he last sat down to talk about getting into the world of dating apps. If you’ve struggled with ghosting, rejecting & rejection, coming up with first date ideas (or tolerating really bad ones), problematic gender rules & evolving social expectations, all while truly trying to figure yourself out, we are here for you. This definitely ain’t an easy road, but at least we have each other, right?

This week's guest:

Follow Minji on:

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

So you took a chance, made a change, & broke away (thanks, Kelly Clarkson) from a past version of yourself - your career, a relationship, a city. And now you’ll spread your wings & learn how to fly, right? Eh.. maybe after an identity crisis, sleepless nights & poorly timed shopping spree or three. On this episode of First Of All, Minji sits down with Traci Lee, a journalist & former Digital Editorial Manager of NBC Asian America. Together they talk through Traci’s recent decision to leave her job, & a huge part of her life’s work, as she moves on to explore the great unknown & write the next chapter of her life. They discuss the doubts, fears, a-ha moments, failures, & courage that comes with major life changes. They also share some tips on everyone’s most dreaded professional activity - NETWORKING. Seriously, how DO you make small talk with an absolute stranger or pitch yourself at an event without looking like a thirsty, idiotic weirdo? Beats us, but they’ve got a couple how-to pearls of wisdom to help carry you through your next happy hour. Godspeed.

This week's guest:

Follow Minji on:

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

Change is inevitable. It can also mean reinvention. Every person is on their own journey with their own timelines, goals, challenges, failures & wins. What happens when you reach a goal & it's as amazing (or not) as you thought, then what? What about addressing new priorities, or life events that prompt unexpected realizations about your career, your love life, your purpose, or all of the above? In this episode of First Of All, Minji sits down with actor, producer & poet Dante Basco. From his early days as a b-boy dancer with his brothers to working with Spielberg playing Rufio in Hook as a teenager to a new career wave as Prince Zuko in Avatar: Last Airbender to poetry & producing films, Dante knows a thing or five about learning how to navigate change. Whether you're 15 or 50, it's the most constant part of life that we all can use help in embracing. We can also learn how to take ownership, define our purpose, & have a little fun while we're doing it. Bangarang!

This week's guest:

Follow Minji on:

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