(Warning: this episode includes content regarding suicide. If you are not in a good space to hear thoughts on this topic, we recommend listening at another time. Be well & take care of yourself.) We're getting into all our feelings in this one. In this episode, Minji shares the story, memory, & lessons learned from her first love, Jay. In celebration of his life & the lasting impact he made on her in the many years since they fell in love at church as 10-year-old kids, Minji reflects on some of her most beautiful & painful moments. She goes into the joyful innocence & heart awakening of a first love as well as the lasting friendship that also veered into unhealthy territory at times. She shares the process of losing him to suicide in 2018 & how that has shaped her until now. She hopes that in commemorating Jay, she can continue her healing while also helping others process their own pain & keep finding light at the end of their tunnels. 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. We can all help #PreventSuicide. @800273TALK provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). suicidepreventionlifeline.org #NPM19

#124 - Lessons From My First Love

First of All is a real, unfiltered conversation on career, family, relationships, & culture. Your host is actress/director/entrepreneur Minji Chang, who will bring in her friends & special guests from all walks of life to kick back in her virtual living room. Together we will laugh, drop whatever knowledge we have, & speak our truth on weekly featured topics. Get ready for good times & all the feels.

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Hey FOA fam! It's been a hot minute but Minji comes back to close out an insane year of ups and downs, and some big wins and losses. Did anyone else live their best and worst year ever at the same exact time??? In a moment of exhausted reflection and hopeful encouragement, Minji sends you all a ginormous hug in her "wearing a giant hoodie (with the hoodie yanked 90% closed of course) on a comfy couch with a giant mug of tea" energy. Thank you and adios 2023.  Mentioned in this episode: Watch The Tiger's Apprentice, now on Paramount+! Join the Chinese Zodiac warriors in the Paramount+ Original Movie The Tiger’s Apprentice!

Tom Lee is just an ordinary teen, but his life changes forever when he discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians. With his new friend Hu, a mythical tiger, and the other Chinese Zodiac warriors, Tom trains to take on an evil force that threatens humanity.

Stream The Tiger’s Apprentice February 2 exclusively on Paramount+. Head to paramountplus.com to try it free!

#192 - Reviewing & Saying Goodbye to 2023

Hi First of All listeners! While we wait for the next season of the podcast, we wanted to share something cool with you all. Please enjoy the first episode of the new hit podcast, Dear Alana, from our partners at Tenderfoot TV. Dear Alana, is a show exploring the life of Alana Chen, a 24-year-old woman who disappeared from Boulder, Colorado in 2019. Alana left behind two dozen journals chronicling a deep faith, love of fashion, and dream of becoming a nun. She also harbored a secret. At 14, she confessed to her priest that she was attracted to women and was instructed not to tell her parents. Over the next seven years, Alana covertly received conversion therapy which her family believes played a role in her fate. ---- Part 1: Mom Simon travels to Boulder to meet Alana’s mother, Joyce, and becomes determined to help her understand what happened to Alana. This episode contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is in need of help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. Listener discretion is advised. Go deeper at https://dearalana.com/ Subscribe to Tenderfoot+ for ad-free listening and an exclusive binge at tenderfootplus.com. Mentioned in this episode: Watch The Tiger's Apprentice, now on Paramount+! Join the Chinese Zodiac warriors in the Paramount+ Original Movie The Tiger’s Apprentice!

Tom Lee is just an ordinary teen, but his life changes forever when he discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians. With his new friend Hu, a mythical tiger, and the other Chinese Zodiac warriors, Tom trains to take on an evil force that threatens humanity.

Stream The Tiger’s Apprentice February 2 exclusively on Paramount+. Head to paramountplus.com to try it free!

Introducing Dear Alana, a new show from Tenderfoot TV

Asking for a friend - does anyone else feeling like just giving up and becoming a potato lately? Because same. In this episode, Minji closes out SEASON 4 and celebrates a beautiful milestone for 6 YEARS OF First Of All Podcast by processing her most recent super fun existential crisis with her dear friend am, the amazing dancer, entrepreneur, and soulful spirit Ben Chung. With the Hollywood strikes, rapid AI development, climate change doom, plus oodles of personal ups & downs, Minji finds herself a bit worn out (again). Ben shares his signature good vibes and deep philosophies that he's cultivated through his prolific creative work and faith.  We're blessed with some crazy inspiring stories from Ben's journey of America's Dance Crew and thoughts on how to navigate a rapidly changing world. They chop it up about change, rejection, and practicing how to be present with profound gratitude in the most uncertain of times. Yes, even in this economy.  Follow Our Guest Ben Chung: Instagram (@btek_benchung) Twitter (@btek_benchung) kinjaz.com Follow Minji On:Instagram (@minjeezy)Instagram (@firstofallpod)
▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" by Uzuhan and "Close to the Edge" by Fulton Lee ▫️ 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: Watch The Tiger's Apprentice, now on Paramount+! Join the Chinese Zodiac warriors in the Paramount+ Original Movie The Tiger’s Apprentice!

Tom Lee is just an ordinary teen, but his life changes forever when he discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians. With his new friend Hu, a mythical tiger, and the other Chinese Zodiac warriors, Tom trains to take on an evil force that threatens humanity.

Stream The Tiger’s Apprentice February 2 exclusively on Paramount+. Head to paramountplus.com to try it free!

#191 - Trusting the Process with Ben Chung (Kinjaz, Jabbwockeez)

There are few things more satisfying than taking an idea and turning it into a reality. Some call that manifesting (ahem, like Minji) and some call it just taking simple actions to achieve a goal. Potato, po-tah-to. Whatever you call it, there's SO much that gets in the way, all the imposter syndrome (bleh), the self-sabotage (ugh), the literal years of procrastinating (yeesh), legit life/time/money challenges, and so on and so forth. In this episode, Minji celebrates the creation of her first COMPLETED short film "HONESTLY" that she wrote and starred in with the film's director and her beloved homie Scott Sayasithsena. Together they share what they can about their tiny film project sans spoilers - the idea, the genesis of the collab, the internal hurdles, the logistical nightmares, and the incredible reception they received premiering the short at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in May 2023 alongside some stellar filmmakers. It's one tiny gigantic step that might've taken a long *** time to take, but it's 100% worth commemorating to remind us every path is unique, be kind to yourself, and to keep on keeping on.  Follow Our Guest Scott Sayasithsena: Instagram (@scottsayasithsena) Follow Minji On:Instagram (@minjeezy)Instagram (@firstofallpod)
▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" ▫️ 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: Watch The Tiger's Apprentice, now on Paramount+! Join the Chinese Zodiac warriors in the Paramount+ Original Movie The Tiger’s Apprentice!

Tom Lee is just an ordinary teen, but his life changes forever when he discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians. With his new friend Hu, a mythical tiger, and the other Chinese Zodiac warriors, Tom trains to take on an evil force that threatens humanity.

Stream The Tiger’s Apprentice February 2 exclusively on Paramount+. Head to paramountplus.com to try it free!

#190 - From Overthinking to DOING - We FINALLY made a short film! - with Scott Sayasithsena

In the very wise words of our goddess Aaliyah (RIP) - If at first you don't succeed, dust yourself off and try again. In theory (and in lyrics/beats that slap thanks to the GOAT Timbaland), it's amazing. In practice, it's pretty freakin' hard. To chase dreams, to pursue life goals, to endeavor the seemingly impossible...in this day and age...in this economy...let's be real, it's easier to just stay in bed and not even try at all. But for better or worse, we push on. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend and talented rapper Trus Real to talk about his eye-opening journey pursuing, and giving up, a career in music. From playing a little too much to then hustling hard and giving rapping his all to basically giving up everything only to be brought back to it in the most unexpected of ways...as a TikTok creator making "news that rhyme", the path has been tough. Trus and Minji explore the many convoluted ways they've actualized a life that's fulfilling and (hopefully) pays all the bills. They talk about making hard choices, giving up control, taking radical responsibility, and getting scrappy with their creativity to live more authentically and wisely.  Follow Our Guest Trus Real: Instagram (@trus_real) patreon.com/trusreal Follow Minji On:Instagram (@minjeezy)Instagram (@firstofallpod)
▫️ Music featured in this episode include "Uzutrap" & “Slow Down” by Trus Real ▫️ 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: Watch The Tiger's Apprentice, now on Paramount+! Join the Chinese Zodiac warriors in the Paramount+ Original Movie The Tiger’s Apprentice!

Tom Lee is just an ordinary teen, but his life changes forever when he discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians. With his new friend Hu, a mythical tiger, and the other Chinese Zodiac warriors, Tom trains to take on an evil force that threatens humanity.

Stream The Tiger’s Apprentice February 2 exclusively on Paramount+. Head to paramountplus.com to try it free!

#124 - Lessons From My First Love

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