Mid Pacific

How does it feel when someone denies your lived experience? For many people with mixed identities, this is a regular part of their lives. In this “Mid Pacific” bonus, Sarah shares one of her favorite podcast episodes from “Proudly Asian.” Hosted by Isabel Wong, “Proudly Asian” shares bold stories of Asians by Asians and in this episode, called  “When They Dismiss Your Identity + Being In-Between,” you'll meet a variety of people dealing with unconscious bias on a daily basis. 

Guests: Isabel Wong, Host, “Proudly Asian”

Leanne Wang, Video Director

Jacqueline Garwood, Digital Marketer

Jazmine Sachiko Ross, Sachi Coastal Founder

Sandra Jim, People and Culture Manager

Music: “Can’t Hold Us Back,” Polartropica

How often do you think about the connections between Asian Americans and country music? In this bonus episode, you’ll hear an excerpt from the “Asian Americana” podcast. Hosted by Quincy Surasmith, “Asian Americana” is dedicated to sharing stories that highlight Asian American culture and history. In this episode, called "Country Music for a Baan Nok Boy," you'll meet a Lao American with a complicated relationship with the genre.

Guests: Quincy Surasmith, Host of “Asian Americana”

Timothy Singratsomboune, Lao American Artist and Writer

Music: "Can't Hold Us Back," Polartropica

"The Road," Idle Hours ft. BJ Cole

"I'm On Your Side," Good Luck Ola

"Gay Asian Country Love Song," Nathan Ramos-Park

"?????????????? (Wan Thii Bo Mii Ai)," Tai Orathai

"Tai Dam Lam Phan," Ko Viseth

"Who Knows" and "Next Big Thing," Betty Soo

How would your identity be shaped if you had to escape your home country by boat? In this bonus episode, Sarah speaks with fellow podcast host Tracey Nguyen Mang, who fled Vietnam with her family at the age of 3. Her quest to uncover her family’s story became a popular podcast and event series. Vietnamese Boat People features incredible stories of the journeys that were taken by a generation of people that were forced to overcome many life-threatening situations in search of peace, freedom and safety. Tracey shares what she’s learned helping others discover their parents’ immigration stories. She also introduces us to her annual “Story Slams,” an online event featuring Vietnamese voices from around the world. 

Guests: Tracey Nguyen Mang, host of Vietnamese Boat People Podcast

Music: “Can’t Hold Us Back,” Polartropica

How do our relationships with our parents affect our sense of self? And why does the mother-daughter relationship, in particular, seem so complex? It’s a topic that has been explored a lot in recent movies, from “Turning Red” to “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” Sarah dives head first into the tension in this episode sharing conversations with both her sister and her mother. 

She also talks about the acculturation gap and redefining expectations with a therapist that specializes in Asian-American relationships and a mother who had to learn to accept her child as he is. 

Guests: Lisa Tan, Sarah’s sister

Marianne Mee Ryung Park, Sarah’s mom

Soo Jin Lee, Therapist and one of the founders of the Yellow Chair Collective

Marsha Aizumi, Author, activist and speaker, “Two Spirits One Heart: A Mother, Her Transgender Son and Their Journey to Love and Acceptance.”

Damneet Kaur, Poet 

Music: “Game Hens,” Blue Dot Sessions

“Can’t Hold Us Back,” Polartropica

"Dusting," Blue Dot Sessions

How does our relationship to food shape our Asian American identity? And how does our identity influence the food we make? In this episode, Sarah discusses food appropriation, who has “ownership” over certain foods, and what happens when a much beloved drink goes mainstream.

Sarah talks with a former "Top Chef" contestant about leaning into her Indian-American heritage AFTER the show and what it means to her to cook “authentic” Indian food. You’ll also meet the creator of a popular Chinese sauce company and the executive chef of Mission Chinese in San Francisco.

Guests: Janelle Bitker, Senior Editor, Food & Wine, San Francisco Chronicle

Preeti Mistri, Chef, Author and Speaker; former Top Chef contestant and restaurateur in Northern California

Jing Gao, Chef, Founder & CEO, Fly By Jing

Danny Bowien, Chef, Mission Chinese

Music: “Can’t Hold Us Back,” Polartropica

“Palms Down,” Blue Note Sessions

“Tarte Tatin,” Blue Note Sessions

Can Asian-American political identity be defined? Asian Americans have long been held back by stereotypes of being quiet or meek, but that’s definitely not the case with issues we care about. In this episode of “Mid Pacific,” Sarah takes a look at some examples of powerful Asian American political organizing, from a school board recall in San Francisco to the Oakland Mayor’s office and the State Capitol. 

Guests: Cyn Wang, Parent

David Lee, Political Science Professor, San Francisco State University

Karthick Ramakrishnan, Professor, UC Riverside and the founder of AAPI Data

Sheng Thao, Mayor of Oakland

Alex Lee, Assemblymember, California’s 24th District

Music: “Can’t Hold Us Back,” Polartropica

“Crisper,” Blue Dot Sessions

“Dusting,” Blue Dot Sessions

For Chinatowns, Japantowns, K-Towns, and other Asian-American communities in the United States, the only constant these days is change. But our need for cultural connection remains the same. In this episode of “Mid Pacific,” Sarah goes on a tour of one of the oldest Chinatowns – in San Francisco – and meets with a woman who grew up there. Meanwhile, Associate Producer Jireh Deng visits a vibrant Cambodia Town in Long Beach to discover how some newer neighborhoods are filling this need for multiple generations.

Guests: Linda Lee, Tour guide, All About Chinatown Tours

Mae Schoenig, San Francisco City Guide, former Chinatown resident

Andrew Leong, Law professor focusing on Asian Americans, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Ryan Liu, San Gabriel Valley resident

Jireh Deng, Associate Producer, Mid Pacific

Sophy Khut, Owner of Sophy’s Restaurant, Long Beach CA

Johnny Chhom, Owner of Sweet Grass Sugar Cane Juice, Long Beach CA

Music: “Can’t Hold Us Back,” Polartropica

“Dusting,” Blue Dot Sessions