InfatuAsian Podcast

Vicky Nguyen's life arc that goes from a harrowing escape out of Vietnam to the Today show makes her book Boat Baby a real page-turner. I had a really fun chat with Vicky the day after Mother's Day, which I thought was appropriate, since her parents, husband Brian, and 3 daughters play a big part in this journey of a lifetime. As a bonus, we get Vicky's go-to Vietnamese comfort foods and a behind-the-scenes look at creating the most epic Christmas cards.

Listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts

Go get a copy of Boat Baby wherever you get books; it's a great read! Follow Vicky on Instagram @vickynguyentv or over at https://www.vickynguyen.com/

Write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

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

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#asianauthor #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

John Wang is a leadership coach, author, speaker, and founder of Big Asian Energy, a platform dedicated to empowering Asian Americans to break through cultural and professional barriers. 

We had so much fun chatting about his new book, Big Asian Energy, available May 27th, wherever you get books, or over at his website www.bigasianenergy.com 

You can follow John on Instagram @johnwangofficial or @johnwangbae on TikTok. And listen to the Big Asian Energy Podcast for great interviews with fantastic guests!

As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram @infatuasianpodcast 

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

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#bigasianenergy #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

Want some bonus Amy Tan?  Yes please! Just when I thought I was wrapping up our chat with Amy Tan, we got into a deep conversation about life and surviving trauma. I didn't plan most of this and just went wherever Amy wanted to lead the conversation.

*Trigger Warning* We talk about self-harm and assault, please use listener's discretion*

Pictured in this post is Amy's grandmother (on the right).  She was 37 when she died by swallowing a ball of opium. Amy published The Joy Luck Club when she was 37. Their two lives are intertwined in ways that can't be explained.

It's been a few weeks, but I'm still riding the high of the conversation we had. If the podcast suddenly ended tomorrow, I feel like I would be ok with what we were able to build and accomplish. Thanks to thoughtful and generous guests like Amy Tan. But, don't worry, we have more Asian and Asian American stories to tell!

Please listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts!

Write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

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

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#asianauthor #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

It's going to be hard to beat this one! I had huge expectations about speaking with Amy Tan, and let me tell you, Amy gave me more than I could have even hoped for! She is the premier Asian American storyteller for a reason. She had me laughing one minute and contemplating the next.

This is only Part 1, because we ended up chatting for over an hour and a half!  What a treat! I'll drop Part 2 next week.

You can listen to this and all our other episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Follow Amy over @amytanwriter and get a copy of The Backyard Bird Chronicles wherever you get your books. Don't forget to support your local independent bookstores!

Write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

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

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#asianauthor #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

Jackie, Vicky, Loan, and I—a.k.a. The Blackboard 4—chat about the Greatest Of All Time Asian things! I always have a great time yapping with my teacher friends. Who knows where our next tangent will take us!

In this episode, we discuss our GOATed Asian fruits and veg, movies, comedians, and more. Listen in and let us know if you agree with us or not! 

As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

Nancy Kwan was one of the first Asian Hollywood stars I can remember seeing. She broke out in the hit movies "The World of Suzie Wong" and "Flower Drum Song" in the 1960s. Over the next several decades, Nancy worked in front and behind the camera in over 50 productions. 

It was a real pleasure to speak with Nancy, she is as charming and lovely as ever. I really think you'll enjoy hearing from her. You can learn more about her interesting life in her new memoir, The World of Nancy Kwan, available everywhere. Get a copy for yourself and perhaps your parents, too!

You can hear our episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

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

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#hollywood #asianactor #asianauthor #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

Arthur Dong is an award-winning filmmaker out of San Francisco's Chinatown. One of his first films, Sewing Woman, was nominated for an Oscar. We caught up with Arthur and chatted about his youth in Chinatown and his over 50 years of filmmaking!

Get the Arthur Dong Collection on Blu-Ray discs from Kino Lorber. Arthur's care for his subject matter will move you, and I promise that you will learn so much! Get it here: https://kinolorber.com/product/arthur-dong-collection. It's a history you won't find in textbooks!

Follow Arthur @arthurdongfilm on socila media or over at https://www.deepfocusproductions.com/

As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

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

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#asianfilmmaker #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

Brandon wanted to participate in our March Madness of Chinese Cuisine, but he had a prior engagement, so we decided to bring the bracket to him! Recording in the legendary Moongate Lounge above Mr. Jiu's, Brandon and I talked about his journey and why it's been so important for him to keep pushing against the river of difficulties of running a big restaurant in SF Chinatown.

Listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts!

You can find Brandon on Instagram @brandoj or find out more about Mr. Jius @misterjius on social media or www.mrjius.com  Also, check out his cookbook and memoir, "Mister Jiu's In Chinatown."

As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast

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

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#chinesefood #sfchinatown #chineserestaurant #misterjius #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

I had a quick call with Linda Tay Esposito from @flavor_explosions, who organized a bake sale to fundraise for earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. 

Here in San Francisco, Linda has gathered over 35 bakers who are donating some goods towards the relief effort. Each item will be $5 or $10, with 100% of the proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders in Myanmar.

It's Sunday, April 13th, from 10AM-1PM only!  @18reasons (located at 18th St / Dolores street). Come by and load up on amazing and yummy goods, while supporting those affected gravely by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that has devastated central Myanmar.

If you can't make it personally, you can still donate using this link: https://tinyurl.com/BakeforMyanmarDonate

Every little bit counts! 

The day had come on March 22nd, 2025... the day we crowned the greatest dish in Chinese Cuisine for 2025!  It was a hotly contested battle, voted on by about 60 members of our audience on a beautiful night in Chinatown. Cohosted by myself and the folks from The Worst Quality Crab Podcast and the On Waverly Bookstore, it was truly a fun night!

I hope you were able to join us live, but if you weren't, here's our recording. Mark your calendars for next year, we'd love to do another round with lots of your favorites that didn't make this year's list!

So many people to thank: Jon for helping me come up with the idea, and Freesia and Sam Lee for adding fuel to the fire and bringing their audience along!  To Cynthia and Jenn for providing a beautiful, inviting place to have it. My friend Steve for running the Zoom, as well as all the staff at On Waverly for keeping things in order and providing prizes and snacks.  And, of course, to everyone who was able to make it down, we couldn't have had this without your votes!

Photo Credits: @itsjustinchu 

As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠[email protected]⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 

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

Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)

#marchmadness #chinesefood #chinatown #asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters