First of All

You know how they say live your life to the fullest and every day as if it's your last? And you know how most of us think "Oh that's nice, I should do that. I will do that."...and then, even with the BEST of intentions, we just don't? (No judgment here, it's a super normal part of life.) Let's face it, it's so easy to stay in autopilot - chasing goals, maybe taking some important relationships for granted, & doing the most even if it's not particularly (or at all) fulfilling. In this episode, Minji sits down with highly decorated chef Viet Pham, whose resume as a chef is one that blows your mind - high end restauranteur, Iron Chef winner, defeating Bobby Flay (twice, mmkay), competing on tv shows, creating an incredible chicken sandwich that's quickly taking over Utah. And of course not to mention an amazingly beautiful and loving wife. But like all those with pretty highlight reels, Viet has gone through a LOT personally to experience this fulfilling life, and has overcome a LOT even in the midst of it. In this very personal conversation, Viet opens about facing health scares including a rare cancer that has further expanded his daily approach to life, love, and work. He shares the fears and attitude shifts he's faced as he is afforded new perspectives and a commitment to health and well-being.

Follow Our Guest Viet Pham:

Instagram (@chefvietpham)

prettybirdchicken.com

Follow Minji On:

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

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & “I’ll Be There” by Nina Sung

▫️ NEW!!: Subscribe to First Of All on YouTube & check out our S4 episodes on video!

▫️ 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

Producer Da Eun Kim (@daeunkm)

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

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

Far too many times in life, our narratives get told by others. Sometimes, being a passive passenger in the journey can feel the safest and most comfortable...until you realize the consequences of not speaking up on your or your community's behalf. Like misinformation, isolation, erasure, and even the exploitation of narratives to serve another's agenda. We're all becoming much more keenly aware of how this has been playing out for real all around us, and many of us are wondering how to approach it. In this episode, Minji sits down with Emily Inouye Huey, author of the moving YA novel "Beneath the Wide Silk Sky" - story about a Japanese American teenager named Sam who is navigating her young life in the wake of Pearl Harbor during WWII. Together they talk about Emily's personal process as a writer and as a Japanese American person unpacking very real family history that she's digesting. They go into the ups and downs of learning, embracing, and finding courage to share stories that mean so much, and how these stories can be vital contributions to culture, politics, and our own personal growth. Emily shares her thoughts on the recent book bans spreading across America, and what's at stake if we don't stand up for truth, accessibility and education.

Timestamps:

00:00-10:15 - Introduction to episode & Emily featuring Uzuhan's "Uzutrap"

10:15-52:42 - Part 1 of conversation with Emily

52:42-54:42 - Break

54:42-1:17:00 - Part 2 of conversation with Emily

1:17:00-1:22:57 - Outro featuring Melissa Polinar's "Another Universe"

Follow Our Guest Emily Inouye Huey:

https://www.instagram.com/emily_inouye_huey/

https://emilyhuey.com/

Follow Minji On:

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

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & "Another Universe" by Melissa Polinar

▫️ NEW!!: Subscribe to First Of All on YouTube & check out our S4 episodes on video!

▫️ 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

Producer @DaEunKim

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

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 back FOA fam!! So glad to be back on the airwaves, kicking off season 4 with a vulnerable and honest conversation with the beautiful and badass queen of the Internet herself- Gina Darling. In this episode, Minji gets to fangirl a bit and also get some insight into how Gina has navigated one helluva life path with her family, unorthodox education, and unconventional career pursuits on her own terms. Brought up in an intensely strict and conservative Vietnamese home, Gina grew up trying to find out who she is apart from all the crazy expectations that so many of us face - how to act, how to dress, what to value, and what is “true” about our personalities and capabilities. Together Minji and Gina break down how their respective circumstances and choices shaped a constant need for external validation, and how they have finally begun to break the cycle in recent years.

Follow Our Guest Gina Darling:

https://www.instagram.com/missginadarling/

Follow Minji On:

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

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & "devils & angels" by Flannel Albert

▫️ 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

Producer @DaEunKim

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

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

Ahhh the holidays.. a time to reflect and prepare the next vision board, and maybe a family tiff or deep introspective existential moment to round it out. Whatever your plans are for the holidays, whether you’re seeing all your loved ones or asserting your boundaries and sitting on top of a mountain solo, Minji stops by to say hi and wish you well as we close out another crazy year. She also shares some fun FOA updates and reflections on 2022 to end the year with some gratitude, acceptance & LETTING GO. THANK YOU FOA fam for an amazing year. Cheers to a joyful, prosperous, healthy 2023!!

Don't forget to subscribe First of All's new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@firstofallpodcast

Follow Minji On:

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

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & "Gimme The Word" by Uzuhan

▫️ 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

Producer @AnnaSun

(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

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 healing process, the inner work, the letting go, the consciousness, the forgiveness, it's all undeniably helpful...aaand let's be real, it also takes a lot outta you too. To close out FOA Season 3, we thought - who better to talk through all the ups and downs of battling ego, addressing inner child wounds and trauma, and conquering crippling emotional faceplants with deep insight and flair than our guest, actor and writer Anna Akana. Minji and Anna run the gamut of some of the ways their ongoing inner work has taken a lot of life-changing W O R K and has had massive payoff too. They share some vulnerable and embarrassing moments that had them face to face with their biggest insecurities and how they practice mindfulness to address harmful and problematic behaviors with some grace and even humor. They discuss the underrated benefits of being a little delusional and how to become their own friend/parent/cheerleader as they practice affirming and falling in love with themselves. CW: this episode includes discussion of mental health and suicide. 

Follow Our Guest Anna Akana:

https://www.instagram.com/annaakana

Follow Minji On:

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

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & "Gimme The Word" by Uzuhan

▫️ 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

Producer @AnnaSun

(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic

Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

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

Dating can be super fun, exploratory, and adventure-filled with charming people you can connect with...when it's not a dumpster fire of poor communication, confusing mixed signals, bad manners, and weird vibes from strangers we'd rather forget. All in a day in the life of the modern single human being, right? Well a silver lining to our over-connected world of the Interwebs, we have all these platforms to vent, commiserate & educate each other on how to identify and deal with some of the more undesirable parts. Like what is just an unattractive trait vs a glaring neon sign saying RUN as fast as you possibly can? This episode, Minji brings back singer-songwriter and actor Dia Frampton to spill the tea on some of the red flags they've experienced in dating. With Dia's just recently entering the world of dating apps and Minji's multiple years of experience, they share the warning signs they've picked up on online and IRL. There might even be a role play conversation on confronting an awkward dealbreaker.  Disclaimer, as there are SO many flags to identify and talk through, consider this a part 1 chat of many to come!!!

Follow Our Guest Dia Frampton:
https://www.instagram.com/diaframpton/
https://www.instagram.com/meganddiamusic/
http://www.diamusic.net/

Follow Minji On:

• Instagram (@minjeezy)
• Facebook (/christineminjichang)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "Home To Me" by Simone Cardoso
▫️ 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
Producer @AnnaSun
(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

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

Racism is a very complicated topic to broach. It can intimidate, trigger, and overwhelm so many so easily because of how pervasive and personal it gets, on top of how exhausted so many feel. Sometimes it feels like we've made some tiny headway towards a baseline respect, maybe even a bit of progress towards equity. Sometimes it feels like we've regressed or have come to a complete standstill. Meanwhile, the nuance of who gets put under the social microscope has evolved and includes more communities than ever before. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend Sami Jayne to get as real as possible about racism within the Asian American/Asian diaspora. Together they discuss their own painful experiences between different Asian ethnicities, discovering the different roots of their prejudice, understanding intergenerational trauma from war and colonization, colorism, racial purity, and where they care to move the conversation. They also share their thoughts on how representation, especially in their shared world of entertainment and media, plays out to different levels of success and what work they believe is yet to be done. 

Follow Our Guest Sami Jayne:
https://www.instagram.com/The.Sami.Jayne/

Follow Minji On:

• Instagram (@minjeezy)
• Facebook (/christineminjichang)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “A Thousand Cuts" by Ruby Ibarra feat. Ann One
▫️ 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
Producer @AnnaSun
(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

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

Minji returns to the FOA airwaves after an extended mental health and recharge break after one exhausting summer. A big update with reflections on making her first short film, learning to be proud of herself, unraveling with the overturning of Roe v Wade, and other impactful moments. She gets into the power of sharing stories, facing our unique fears, and taking time to get centered when everything, everywhere, all at once is just... a bit too much. 

Follow Minji On:

• Instagram (@minjeezy)
• Facebook (/christineminjichang)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Gud Luh" bye Isa
▫️ 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
Producer @AnnaSun
(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

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

No one likes a lawsuit. Lawyers are commonly vilified for exorbitant billable hours and sharklike tendencies.  For many people, any situation involving legal counsel is one to run away from and avoid at all costs. And yet at some point, many folks do require legal help to navigate a complicated system of rules and power plays. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend and actual legal counselor, Chuong Bui, who is a seasoned entertainment attorney and the co-founder of Counsel 4 Creators - a platform and subscription service to accommodate independent artists in their artistic journey. Together they dive into Minji's former deathly fear of legal matters, and a couple of the various incidents that made her analysis paralysis (mostly) a thing of the past. They also discuss Chuong's journey with becoming and practicing, as an attorney who helps out artists create great works of art and makes every "doctor or lawyer" comment from a parent suddenly doesn't seem so bad after all. They analyze the different barriers between need folks who can afford to get good help and the ones who do their best trying to get by on shoestring income but often need help the most. If you have ever been intimidated or overwhelmed thinking about lawyering up, this one's for you.

Follow Our Guest Chuong Bui:
https://counselforcreators.com/
https://www.instagram.com/counselforcreators/
https://www.instagram.com/who_is_bui/

Follow Minji On:

• Instagram (@minjeezy)
• Facebook (/christineminjichang)

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “Gud Luh" bye Isa
▫️ 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
Producer @AnnaSun
(New) Producer! @PriksaMusic
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

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

From the days of Marilyn to The Beatles to Michael Jackson, Kim K & Logan Paul, it's safe to say that celebrity culture has evolved and transformed in its way into becoming an everyday part of our modern life. Now celebrity status includes "everyday" content creators or influencers who make funny skits from their respective glass rectangles, or even say.. podcast hosts. (Btw, we're self-aware here at FOA to know we are not celebrity status but do influence in our own way to our beloved brilliant audience, thank you love you) In this episode, Minji brings two of her dearest friends and fellow content creators Kevyn Fong (TikTok/IG's level4alpha) and Priska (singer/songwriter/co-host of Two Horny Goats Podcast) to dive into how our collective obsession/resentment/addiction/admiration/disgust with celebrities and influencers exists nowadays and how they attempt to navigate it all. Coming from a variety of backgrounds working in the entertainment industry from being talent and being behind the scenes watching how the sausage is made (and maybe making some themselves), they share their various insights on the fun and danger of it all. One example they dive into is the slap heard around the world by Will Smith at the Oscars, which they happened to be together to witness at the same time with very different reactions. Come tune in to hear them break it all down, wonder about our future, take responsibility for their relationships with the culture itself, and tips on how to maintain self-awareness and a healthy mental hygiene. 

Follow Our Guest Kevyn Fong:
https://www.instagram.com/level4alpha/
https://www.tiktok.com/@level4alpha
https://www.youtube.com/c/level4alpha

Follow Our Guest Priscilla Liang-Kim aka Priska:
http://www.priskamusik.com/
https://www.instagram.com/priskamusik/
https://www.instagram.com/twohornygoats/

Follow Minji On:

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

▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and “80HD Screens” by Solomon Wook
▫️ 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
Producer @AnnaSun
Social Media Manager @JulianaDeer

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