Katherine catches up with stand-up comedian, writer, and producer Pallavi Gunalan to talk about her leap of faith towards comedy. Originally studying to become a biomedical engineer, Pallavi got her first exposure into comedy through improv and quickly became obsessed with all of it. They talk about the parasocial relationship between a performer and its fan, typical beauty standards, and marrying comedy and politics with her show, City Counsel. 

You can follow all of Pallavi’s work here: https://www.pallavigunalan.com/

Maria Kanaka Luna (she/her/they/them) was sentenced to prison in 1995 under a life sentence but released 23 years later. She talks about her new path in life, honoring and advocating for Pacific Islander rights while challenging some traditions that are within her community. She shares the years she lost with her own daughter and niece, but is now working to build those relationships. 

To learn more about Maria Kanaka Luna’s case, visit: https://www.change.org/p/pardon-kanaka

Nghiep Lam, a member of APSC (Asian Prisoner Support Committee), shares his story of reintegrating into civilian life after spending 20 years incarcerated. He reveals the inadequacies and troubles of the prisoner pipeline system. As a result, he now advocates for his community, committing to help other incarcerated API folks learn about their culture and history. 

To learn more about the APSC 4 Action Tool Kit, visit bit.ly/apsc.

VH1 senior social media manager, producer, and Indo-Caribbean beauty influencer Sarita Nauth shares her journey of embracing her culture and trying to find belonging. As a beauty influencer, Sarita has navigated and had to break industry glass ceilings. Also, as someone who’s been in media and entertainment during pre-social media days, she talks about how it’s shifted and evolved when it comes to POC representation.

Manufou Liaiga-Anoa'i is a celebrated Samoan activist, revolutionary leader and visionary whose representation as a courageous advocate and public elected has opened doors not just for her Pacific Islander people, but for many marginalized, voiceless communities. She shares her rise to public service and how philanthropy can be defined in various ways. Throughout her career, she blazed the path being the first Samoan Pacific Islander president at San Francisco’s Lowell High School and first Pacific Islander Liaison in the city of San Francisco.

Van Huynh tells his story of being sentenced to prison for life and what it was like reintegrating to civilian life when he was given early release. Since then, he’s found API Rise, an organization that’s enabled him to give back to his community and find a greater purpose. Van now advocates for the formerly incarcerated and uses his experience to help others heal from past wounds.

Kirn Kim is a former Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate student and son of a prominent physician in California’s North Orange County Korean community. Kirn Kim fits the stereotypical mold assigned to many Asian-American teens. However, at the age of 16, Mr. Kim was tried as an adult and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison as part of a high-profile case that became known as the “Honor Roll Murder.” Mr. Kim earned parole in 2012 after serving 20 years. He has since spoken on issues of criminal and juvenile justice reform, and the culture of shame and the model minority myth in the Asian/Pacific Islander community.

Bochan grew up singing in her father’s Cambodian American bands. From roots in rock to its current inception, the evolution that Bochan witnessed and joined is audible today in the ardent Cambodian music circuit. Honoring yet stepping bravely away from traditional style, she ushers in a new musical age.  Her single “Chnam Oun 16” (or, “I am 16”), featuring Raashan Ahmad from Crown City Rockers, shakes up convention by remaking the classic Cambodian rock anthem about women coming of age. The new version retains textures and tones of the original Farfisa organ, while the lyrics alternate between English and Khmer.

Sun Luu is a poet, performer, filmmaker, and a true multidisciplinary artist. Through conversational humor and introspective reflection, his work explores his Chinese and Vietnamese heritage, intergenerational trauma, mental health, and the practice of self-love. His work has been featured on platforms such as All Def Poetry, SlamFind, KCET, The Hollywood Reporter, and most importantly, his mother's heart.

You can follow Sun Luu on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sunluuofficial/

Nicki Sun is an on-camera personality/influencer, and freelance producer, director, cinematographer, content strategist, editor, and educator passionate about amplifying marginalized voices both in front and behind the camera. She is the creator and host of “Now You Know,” a talk show spotlighting key celebrities and leaders within the API community and TechNicki Speaking, a tech channel dedicated to empowering content creators and spotlighting women and BIPOC creators, which also live streams every Tuesday at 7pm PST on Amazon LIVE. In this episode, we go into the origins of Nicki’s career, how to stay authentic, and allowing others to maximize their potential.

Nicki is a co-host of the Messy Sexy Me podcast, available now on all podcast platforms.