Foreign & National

Warning: this discussion contains sensitive and graphic information. Asian hate crimes, though not new in America, have been spiking since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We were genuinely shocked and disheartened at the lack of news coverage of these crimes, so we set out to shed some more light on the issue. This week, we put aside our goofiness to discuss stories we’ve read and possible reasons for the lack of coverage these crimes are getting.

How many of you know people who’ll go out to dinner and fight over the bill? Not over who has to pay it, but who GETS to pay it?? This week we talk about how funny/awkward it was to see our family friends all but brawl over who gets to pay the bill when we'd go out to eat (plus some money-saving tips for your mango lassi)! 

Want to suggest an episode idea or share your own story? Find us on Twitter/IG (@foreignandnatl) or email us at [email protected]!

How would you feel if you grew up in a family that looks nothing like you? Or watched people get confused when they see your parents and you? This week, our friend Emily tells us her experiences growing up Irish, American, and Chinese, and her thoughts on family after being adopted into a very loving one. 

Want to suggest an episode idea or share your own story? Find us on Twitter/IG (@foreignandnatl) or email us at [email protected]!

There are two types of people: those who admit they get competitive and jealous, and liars. What conditions us growing up to feel this way? How healthy is it (hint: not very)? Are we the only ones who went to birthday parties and were told to do math worksheets? This episode, we're exploring all these stories, from when we started feeling them as kids to what we think a happy and carefree life would look like.

Want to suggest an episode idea or share your own story? Find us on Twitter/IG (@foreignandnatl) or email us at [email protected]!

We're back from our break and kicking it off with an interview with congressional candidate Rishi Kumar! He immigrated to America at 22 and began working in the tech industry, but in recent years has pivoted to politics with different positions of advocacy on community boards, city council, and his current congressional run. We hope this episode provides some perspective and inspiration for why more people with immigrant backgrounds should make their voice heard in American politics. Oh and apologies for the echo in the audio - we had a last-minute "recording studio" change :) 

Want to suggest an episode idea or share your own story? Find us on Twitter/IG (@foreignandnatl) or email us at [email protected]!

As anyone with an "interesting" or "ethnic" name can attest to, sometimes you have to create an easy pseudonym to use at restaurants or cafes so you're not "that guy/gal" holding up the line while the barista asks you to repeat your real name 3 times. This Quick Take is about those struggles. Oh and sorry for the rustling in the background - Shan's dog was an unintended guest on this show.

Want to suggest an episode idea or share your own story? Find us on Twitter/IG (@foreignandnatl) or email us at [email protected]!

This quicktake is all about designer handbags and fancy underwear (well, at least for one of us). Do expensive things make sense? Honestly, who knows, but if people are happy, they're happy!

As always, feel free to send episode and quick-take suggestions/feedback/questions to [email protected] or on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook @foreignandnatl.

If you’ve related to any of our episodes so far, chances are you can relate to the debate about whether to pursue a career you love or a career with security. In our season finale, we're discussing the somewhat conflicting life-goals of pursuing passion versus pursuing profitability and security. We talk for nearly an hour about the motivations for immigrant parents to push for secure majors and careers, the idea of “social credit” and the implicit effect it had on us growing up, to what we would do differently if we could. We hope you enjoy listening and can relate to our perspectives in making these challenging decisions.

Want to suggest an episode idea or share your own story? Find us on Twitter/IG (@foreignandnatl) or email us at [email protected]!