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On this episode, SunAh sits down with Dr. JaeRan Kim, Associate Professor and BASW chair in the School of Social Work and Criminal Justice at the University of Washington – Tacoma. Dr. Kim sheds light on why adoption is not a solution to the rollback of reproductive rights. She discusses what popular adoption tropes such as “forever family” conceal about the adoption industry. Importantly, Dr. Kim brings insights from her work with adoptees to talk about the complexities of adoption from an adoptee point of view.

On this episode, SunAh welcomes Dr. Nicole Bedera, expert on intimate partner violence and sexual violence prevention. Dr. Bedera provides important context for the Johnny Depp – Amber Heard defamation trial, including breaking down myths about mutual abuse, “perfect victims, and “perfect perpetrators.” She also details some of the structural changes needed to protect survivors and as well as what we can do on an individual level to support survivors we know.

On this episode, SunAh chats with Caitlin Behle, community builder, design researcher, facilitator, and board member for the Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati (AACAC). While Cincinnati’s Asian American population is relatively small, at about 2 percent, over the past few years AACAC has been focused on making Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month more prominent. Caitlin shares how some of that community building and intentionality happened, what AACAC has been able to provide for the community, as well as what AAPI Heritage Month has meant to her.

On this episode, SunAh sits down with Dawn K. Wing, Reference and Instruction Librarian at Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul (MN) and founder of Water Pig Press. Dawn shares some of the story of Tye Leung Schulze, the first Chinese American woman to vote in a major U.S. election and to hold a federal government job. There are so many contemporary connections between Tye’s story and the current experiences of Asian American women and resistance. To learn more about Tye Leung Schulze, visit waterpigpress.com

On this episode, SunAh is joined by Sarah Houston, Executive Director of Protect Our Aquifer. Memphis is the largest U.S. city that relies 100% on groundwater to meet its needs, and the Memphis Sand Aquifer or Sparta Aquifer makes that possible. Sarah talks about what makes this water source so unique, and why we must protect it. She shares ways that we can all be part of preserving this precious resource for the present and future. To learn more, visit ProtectOurAquifer.org

On this episode, SunAh welcomes Dr. Khalid Long, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Coordinator of Theatre Studies at Columbia College Chicago. Dr. Long is also a freelance dramaturg with a focus in production dramaturgy, and in this conversation, he describes how dramaturgs work behind the scenes to help plays come alive. Khalid also talks about his book project, which explores the many ways that director, writer, and choreographer Glenda Dickerson left an indelible mark on the theatre arts.

On this episode, SunAh sits down with J. Whitlow, Creative Director of Privileged, LLC and the event curator for the Listen Out Loud R&B/Hip-Hop Festival. He talks about the motivation behind this festival and the role he hopes this event will play in the future for up and coming independent artists from across the country. He also shares some of his journey into his unique take on event planning which blends the social scene with social activism.

On this episode, SunAh is joined by Dr. Heba Gowayed, the Moorman-Simon Assistant Professor of Sociology at Boston University. Currently, 1 in 95 people are displaced globally. Dr. Gowayed describes the systems that support and/or constrain refugees in their new countries. She shares her research findings from her new book, _Refuge: How the State Shapes Human Potential, _which follows Syrian refugees as they resettle in the U.S. and Canada and seek asylum in Germany. Her work sheds light on how displaced Ukrainians are and will be incorporated into host countries.

On this episode, SunAh sits down with Dana James Mwangi, Founder of Cheers Creative, a brand strategy consultancy, and Tennessee’s Grown with Google Digital Coach. This year Dana celebrates 10 years in business. In our conversation, she shares insights from her journey in entrepreneurship as well as lessons for small businesses who want to maximize their online presence. To connect with Dana and learn more about her upcoming free digital trainings, visit danajamesmwangi.com