In this episode, we chat with the creators of a new musical, Rise to the Top, Weiko Lin and Christopher Wong. The story follows a young immigrant from Hong Kong who achieves the American dream as a celebrity chef on top of his culinary empire while grappling to fit into Americana at great sacrifice.

• Today's intro music is a clip from a song called "I Stand With You" (0:00)
• We discuss the "American Dream", how we define it, who it represents, and why Chris and Weiko wanted to tell a different version of it (3:27)
• Chris and Weiko share more about Rise to the Top, how it centers an Asian American experience, and the role and importance of food in the musical and Asian culture more broadly (15:00)
• They share more about the creative process, the role of love and loss, and why this story is the one they wanted to tell (30:31)
• We wrap with how much joy Chris and Weiko have experienced through the process and how their relationship as collaborators has evolved over the years (41:10)

Rise to the Top is playing from Dec. 5-7 at The Strub Theatre at Loyola Marymount University.