Hayden is the first and probably the last guest on the pod that I gave a failing grade to in biology. Despite that, we've kept in touch over the years and it was fun chatting with him for a few hours this summer.  Hayden got recruited to develop games for Rockstar games and worked on Red Dead Redemption for over 5 years. He's since been doing all kinds of other digital art for himself and others.  He got into riding personal electric vehicles a few years ago and got a concussion from a hard fall, an MRI revealed that he had a brain tumor, and life hasn't been the same since. This was a roller coaster of an interview with lots of laughs and some deep reflections too. 

You can see more of Hayden's art and videos on his Instagram @haydenthewu or @the_float_pack 

Hayden's infatuAsian Jane Ng can be read @thatjaneng on Twitter.

Please follow our Instagram or Facebook account @theinfatuasianpodcast, and as always we'd love to hear from you via email at [email protected]

Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc.  Please take a second to give our show a 5-star rating on Apple or Spotify, and leave us a great review on Apple Podcasts!  We'd be eternally grateful!

Thanks for listening!

#thefloatpack #reddeadredemption #rockstargames #gamedev #onewheel #alienrides #PEV #EUC #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #iinfatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

But… but…that’s not fair! That’s what Ava Wong, a Stanford trained lawyer turned stay at home mom said, when she learned about a counterfeit handbag scheme cooked up by her ex-college roommate. Today we are discussing superfake designer handbags, fussy toddlers, and confronting the model minority myth, when we talk with Kirstin Chen author of Counterfeit!

Counterfeit was the June pick for Reese Witherspoon's book club. It shot to #5 on the New York Times bestseller list.  Learn more about Kirstin at Kirstinchen.com or follow her on social media @kirstin.chen

Special thanks to Emily for helping me co-host.  Read more about Emily at emily-hoang.com

You can write to us at: [email protected], and please follow us on Instagram and facebook @theinfatuasianpodcast 

Please follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  We could use your ratings and reviews over at Apple. And now Spotify! Or go to our website: infatuasian.podbean.com

Our Theme:

“Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around 

Note:  We'll be taking a 1-Week break next week, but we'll be back with more eps Aug 10th!

#superfakes #counterfeit #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #iinfatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian #kirstinchen #counterfeithandbags  #asianamericanpodcaster #chineseamericanauthor #asianauthor #representationmatters

Today's guest, Kimlai Yingling, is hard to nail down with a one or two-word description.  She's worked in all sorts of media from the stages at county fairs to television studios and many places in between.  She's an entertaining storyteller with a larger-than-life personality (and hair)! Join my sister Caryl and I as we sit back and let Kimlai tell us stories from her journey.

You can follow Kimlai @Kimlaiyingling on most social media platforms (@iamkimlai) on TikTok. And visit her website EatinAsian.com

Thanks to my sister Caryl for introducing me to Kimlai!  If you want to see what Caryl's up to you can find her @carylchinn on social media or at her website Carylchinn.com

Please email us your thoughts at [email protected] or DM us @theinfatuasianpodcast on Instagram or Facebook.  Please follow us and give us a rating on Spotify or a rating and review over at Apple Podcasts!  

Sound files:

"Kimlai Yingling's Apple Brown Betty - Home & Family" from the Hallmark Channel (YouTube)

"Superfun J-Pop Fun Time" by Prismic Studios

NOTE:  We'll be taking a brief break in the first week of August!

#asianfood #culinaryproducer #eatinasian #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #iinfatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian #asianamericanpodcaster 

Which Asian actors would you choose to make up the all-time greatest Asian cast?  Curtis and Lauren along with 2 of the hosts from the Reel Asian Podcast, Ray and Alan, set out to make a list of their favorite Asian actors.  We did it in a “fantasy football” style draft, taking turns picking our favorite actors over 6 rounds. Once an actor is picked they are unavailable to the rest of us.  We compared lists at the end, as well as discussed who didn't make our lists but probably could.  How will our lists compare with yours?

Thanks again to Ray and Alan for helping out, we had a lot of fun with y’all!  You are very knowledgeable and had us laughing so hard!  You can hear more of Ray and Alan (and team) over at The Reel Asian Podcast.  You can listen to RAP on most major podcast platforms.  Give them a follow, a rating, and a review!  You can also find out more about them at Reelasianpodcast.com or on social media @realasianpodcast 

Special thanks to Lauren for bringing the positive vibes, pop culture knowledge, and lots of laughs too!  You can hear more of Lauren on our Shang-Chi and Eternals episodes!

Special shout out to Jonathan L., who helped workshop this idea way back in the Fall!

Thanks, for listening everyone!  If you like what you hear, please give us a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!  Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Instagram so you don’t miss an episode! @theinfatuasianpodcast  or write us at [email protected]

Note:  I’m going to take a break in the first week of August, but we’ll be back with more fun episodes after that!

#thejoyluckclub #enterthedragon #thematrix #mulan #therock #representationmatters #RAP #reelasianpodcast #aapi #podcastersofinstagram #asianamericanpodcast #asianpodcast #asianamericanlife #asianexperience #aapodcasters #aapivoices #asianamerican #infatuasian #iinfatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian 

It’s not every day that you get to chat with a trailblazing genius! Gene Luen Yang is the author of American Born Chinese, a graphic novel that broke barriers in so many ways.  He’s won numerous awards for his comics and novels.  In 2016 he was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship, aka the “Genius Grant.”  He illustrates and writes for both Marvel and DC, as well as the Avatar The Last Airbender graphic novel series.  Even with all the accolades, Gene remains remarkably humble and appreciative. He was completely generous with his time, as Curtis forgot to hit the record button for the first half of the interview, but without blinking, Gene said, “It’s okay, let’s do it again!”  This was a conversation that Curtis and Madison won’t soon forget.

Follow Gene at his website Geneyang.com or on social media platforms @geneluenyang 

You can write to us at: [email protected]  and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @theinfatuasianpodcast  

Listen to us wherever you get your podcasts or at our website: https://infatuasian.podbean.com  We would appreciate a rating and review over at Apple Podcasts and Spotify!  Thanks for listening!

#americanbornchinese #graphicnovel  #shangchi #comics #marvel #marvelcomics #marveluniverse #superman #dccomics @dckids #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #iinfatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian #asianamericanpodcaster #superproducermadison #representationmatters

This week we hit the road!  (sort of) We are chatting with Sara Qiu, a cyclo-tourist, who is riding her bike solo from Spain to Asia.  She doesn’t have a time frame or a final destination.  She is documenting her ride on her YouTube channel, Journey From the Road.  At the time of this interview, she had ridden through France and most of Italy (about 2000 km).  She happened to be back home in Spain to take care of some passport issues when we chatted, but she has since flown back to pick up where she left off and continue heading east towards Turkey.

Follow Sara on YouTube and Instagram @journeyfromtheroad We will try to update you on Sara’s progress every so often as well!  What an adventure!

If you want to follow us you can do so @theinfatuasianpodcast over on Instagram or Facebook.  Email us at [email protected]  And please subscribe/follow us over at Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods!

Sound:

“Ep 3: First Time Wild Camping in France” from Journey From The Road (YouTube)

Our Theme:

“Super Happy J-Pop Fun Time” by Prismic Studios

#journeyfromtheroad #cyclotourism #cycling #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #iinfatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

Many of us were forced into music lessons as a kid.  Elizabeth Tsung was no different, but those frustrating and torturous hours of violin practice blossomed into a music degree and a career performing and composing music.  Elizabeth, Emily, and Curtis discuss her latest EP, “Illusions.”  

You can purchase Elizabeth’s music over at elizabethtsung.bandcamp.com or you can find her work on Spotify.  You can also follow Elizabeth over at her Instagram @elizabeth.tsung

Thanks for listening!  If you would, please give us a rating over at Spotify or a rating and review over at Apple Podcasts!  Follow us at your favorite podcast host so you never miss an episode!

Email us: [email protected]

Instagram or Facebook:  @theinfatuasianpodcast 

Music:

Theme: “Opening”  by Elizabeth Tsung

Theme 2: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun Time” by Prismic Studios

“Elegy 1 and 2” by Elizabeth Tsung

“Illusions 1 and 2” by Elizabeth Tsung

“Ursus Maritimus” by Elizabeth Tsung

Closing Song, arranged by All Arms Around (Brian Lum)

#IllusionsEP #violin #asianmusician #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #iinfatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian #asianamericanpodcaster

Isabel Wong is a tale of two cities, Nottingham and Hong Kong. She worked as a financial journalist on Hong Kong television for several years and is now working as a content strategist. Earlier this year Isabel started her podcast, Proudly Asian, where she interviews Asians from around the world about what it means to be Asian and the biases that go along with that.

You can listen to Isabel’s pod Proudly Asian pretty much anywhere you get your podcasts and follow her on Instagram @proudly.asian or on her website: https://proudly-asian.com/

Please write to me at [email protected] and follow me @theinfatuasianpodcast on Facebook or Instagram.

Our Theme:

Super Happy J-Pop Fun Time by Prismic Studios

Thanks for listening!

#proudlyasian #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #iinfatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian #asianamericanpodcaster #asianpodcaster 

What’s the hardest job in the world? Ballet dancer may not be on the top of many people’s lists, but after talking with Frances, I think it needs to be up there! The physical and mental demands that dancers put on their bodies and minds are second to none. Listen to us chat with San Francisco Ballet’s principal dancer Frances Chung!  Frances has been dancing nearly her entire life and gives us an inside look at what ballerina life is really like.

You can follow Frances on her Instagram @franadian   And read more about her at the SF Ballet website: www.sfballet.org

Special thanks to my co-host this week: Miss San Francisco Catherine Liang!  You can follow her @misssanfranciscoco Good luck at the Miss California Competition Catherine! 

Please follow us on Facebook or Instagram @theinfatuasianpodcast and or over at Apple or Spotify (or wherever you listen)!

Music:

“Serenade - Tchaikovsky: Serenade in C major for String Orchestra” New York City Ballet Orchestra (Rhino/Warner Bros)

Our theme is “Super Happy J-Pop Fun Time” by Prismic Studios.  Outro is arranged by All Arms Around (Brian Lum)

Filler music is: “Cloudy” from Anime Vibes | Kawaii, Chill, Happy, Fun | Vlog No Copyright-Free Music | Music To Study, Relax To (Music Panda) 

#sanfranciscoballet #ballet #asianballetdancer #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #iinfatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian #asianamericanpodcaster

Here's a little bonus sound from our chat with author Weike Wang.  She talks about why both of her books are yellow, as well as gives us her NYC Chinese food pics!