Shoes Off Inside with MKT (fka The May Lee Show)

The ladies of "Shoes Off Inside" took a little time off for summer...a combination of globe-hopping, caretaking and gearing up for the country's most consequential elections in modern history. This is an episode that is full of surprises, insight, admissions and TMI (hint...the squatty potty is a topic). But May, Kelly and Tamlyn get down to serious business with a heartfelt and informative conversation about the upcoming presidential election and what is truly at stake. We all have the privilege of being part of the democratic process and that means being informed in order to exercise our right to vote! 

And a show note...we decided to try a new recording platform so the show starts off in the most casual, candid and oh so MKT way!

INFO:
capa21.com
vote.org
harriswalz.com
kamalaharris.com
apiavote.org

Would you be willing to travel on your own dime to all 50 U.S. states and sit down with a total stranger over a meal? Well that's exactly what Shari Leid, former attorney turned life coach, did and she lived to tell the many tales. Her purpose was to find connection and common ground in our growingly divided country. All of her connections were women of all ages, backgrounds and experiences. Through this journey, Shari not only discovered the beauty of pushing beyond fear and stereotypes, but as a Korean adoptee, she experienced her own unexpected epiphany. Her story is one of courage, adventure, patience and, ulimately, self-love. 

Show Notes:
https://animperfectlyperfectlife.com/about
https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffinsidemkt/

Link to purchase Slippers/Slides merch:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc2tgJ3uBi245uE6-ORxPJuwIMgCZPfO2sotgVUcj5ki5iUuQ/viewform

The month of May is when the spotlight burns brighter on the AANHPI community! All month long we celebrate the diversity of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders and that means honoring everyone from the most prominent political and media figures to the unsung heroes who are tirelessly working to elevate our voices. 

In this episode, May, Kelly and Tamlyn talk about their commitment to the community and why the sense of belonging amongst AANHPIs is still not fully embraced, according to the latest STAATUS report. Perhaps one reason is that a majority of Americans still can't name one prominent Asian American. 

The ladies of "Shoes Off Inside" also look forward to being together IN PERSON in Washington, D.C. to celebrate AANHPI at the APAICS gala, or more fondly referred to as the "Asian Prom". (note: this episode was recorded May 2, before the D.C. events) But at the end of the episode, there's a post-event update that you don't want to miss. Let's put it this way, it's the most unusual setting that MKT have every recorded in together! It was a little bumpy!

Show Notes:

Get your "Shoes Off Inside" slides here!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1JWDqGgNvcAjb5kQxWAUkU8I6AYaXv0a5BYUHVK6qPk0/edit

apaics.org
aa4dr.org
capa21.com
https://www.msnbc.com/admissionsgranted

At the heart of this episode is the hotly debated issue of the "coddled" generation. These are Gen Z'ers and, now, Gen Alpha who have been overprotected by parents from the real world with all of it's challenges, pain, and dangers. But ironcially, these same kids have been severely underprotected from social media. According to psychologist and NYU professor, Jonathan Haidt, this combination has led to a multitude of problems including depression and self-harm as well as a complete lack of accountibility. Social media has created an entire generation of addicted "keyboard warriors", who hide behind their devices and say whatever they want without reprecussions. This behaviour manifests in other areas. May shares her firsthand experience as a university professor who has battled this lack of accountability among students. Recently, she was the target of unfounded incidenary remarks and when she asked for university support, it was rejected. May, Kelly and Tamlyn talk about the reasons behind this kind of hostile and evasive behavior, and what we can do to slow and, perhaps, even avert the further breakdown of civility. 

And on the lighter side, May has a very fun sneak peek of the first "Shoes Off Inside" swag! You won't want to miss it!!! SOOOOOOO CUTE!!!

Show Info:

https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/escaping-the-matrix/

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/safer-social-media-and-messaging-apps-for-kids

https://outsideintheatre.org

When it comes to movie stars with the full package, one of our Asian American brothers is at the top of that list...the one and only Daniel Henney! From starting as a model in the U.S. and Asia, to becoming a full-blown heart throb on TV and film in South Korea and worldwide, Daniel continues to entertain the masses. He stars in the series "Wheel of Time" and has a new Korean movie coming out, "Dog Days", February 7th. But what makes him truly endearing is his authenticity and humility. He is as real and as grounded as they come. And if that's not enough, he's also a HUGE dog lover and has advocated for the humane treatment of dogs in South Korea. Daniel has been working with the Humane Society International in an effort to stop the dog meat trade in Korea, which just recently became reality when a new law to ban the trade of dogs was passed. In this episode, May, Kelly and Tamlyn talk openly with Daniel about this controversial topic as well why dogs are so personal to him AND a special someone makes an appearance during this episode! This is an episode you DO NOT want to miss! 

For more info on Dog rescues in South Korea:
https://www.hsi.org/news-resources/region/south-korea-2/
https://www.instagram.com/dog_us_planet/
https://www.instagram.com/d.u.p_adopt/

It's time for our Favorite Things Gift List just in time for last minute shoppers like May, Kelly and Tamlyn who haven't even begun! Once again, we are featuring everything from delicous food, both sweet and savory to holiday ornaments to organic wine to the first Asian American doll, and even a punk rock band! Many of the businesses we feature are API owned and share their profits with causes they care about. Along with sharing gift ideas, MKT also chitchat about U2 at The Sphere in Las Vegas (that's why May and Kelly are together in this episode), wedding planning (including how many times we've been bridesmaids), new year's goals and...here's a teaser...Kelly introduces us to her ficus plant "Norma Jean". You DEFINITELY want to see why it has that name!! 

Links to all gift ideas featured in the show:

Kelly Hu's List:
www.drinktinto.com
www.shop.momofuku.com
www.asianamericangirlclub.com
www.houseofmanaup.com
www.sugarbirdsweets.com

Tamlyn's List:
www.houseofhara.com
www.edibol.com
www.vho7v.com
www.thesill.com

May's List:
www.eatfoodologie.com
www.jillybing.com
www.lemieuxskincare.com
www.socialbutterflieslosangeles.com
www.traderjoes.com

The numbers don't lie...the senior population is booming while the younger generation is shrinking due to fewer and fewer people having children. That means there is a growing need for caregiving within families, which is leading to more multigenerational households. That's nothing new for Asian families, but we're seeing this trend of multigenerational living increase across all communities and that's changing the way physical homes are being built, remodeled and outfitted. Our Kelly Hu just bought a home with plans for her parents moving in when the time comes so this hits close to home! Also, with more seniors, that means more senior scams! These horrible scammers prey on our vulnerable, sometimes, lonely elders using all sorts of devious tactics. In this latest episode sponsored by AARP, we talk with Senior VP of Caregiving and Health at AARP, Tricia Sandiego, about multigenerational living and what options are out there for childless people like May, Kelly and Tamlyn and they prepare for their "golden years". We also delve into the dark underbelly of senior scams, which totaled $9 billion last year. Denise Oki of the Federal Trade Commission gives us useful tips on how to help our loved ones. You'll be shocked to hear some of the most heartbreaking stories of elderly being cheated out of their life savings. As we say in the show, "There is a special place in HELL for people who scam seniors."

More Info:

AARP
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/
https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2021/tips-for-aging-independently.html

FTC
https://www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/
https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/
https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/languages
https://consumer.ftc.gov/unwanted-calls-emails-and-texts/unwanted-emails-texts-and-mail
https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts
Pass It On education campaign: https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/pass-it-on

For many of you who have been watching and listening to this show, you've gotten to know May's Golden Retriever, Eggy, pretty well. She would often make cameo appearances during the show knowing exactly where the camera was. Eggy's story, like many rescue dogs, is amazingly touching and inspiring. On October 14 2023, Eggy crossed the rainbow bridge after nearly 16 years. May wanted to take a few minutes at the start of this episode to honor her fur baby and share Eggy's story. Tamlyn and Kelly join May after the memoriam to talk about Tamlyn's theatrical escapades with a run in East West Players production of  "Spring Awakening", which opens Oct. 29 in Los Angeles. Kelly gives us an update on her big move to Las Vegas and how her high school calvary came to the rescue! And May shares details about her recent engagement party and how she almost fell for the pressure of throwing a fancy, expensive, formal affair and, instead, chose a more personal route. (Hint, she made the right choice.)

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The ladies of "Shoes Off Inside" took an unintentional break for part of the summer, but that's not a bad thing, especially for Kelly Hu, who traversed Europe, then felt the "burn" and mud at "Burning Man". Meanwhile, Tamlyn was busy attending and emceeing various events elevating the API and Japanese American communities. And May was gearing up for her new position as full-time professor at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. The thing about taking a break is that SO MUCH HAPPENS during that time! So, there was A LOT to catch up on including the continuing Hollywood strike and the Maui Fires. But this episode also celebrates the boldness and courage of one API female entrepreneur, Janel Luu, Founder and CEO of Le Mieux. "Shoes Off Inside" LOVES spotlighting Asian women who don't let traditional stereotypes get in the way of going what we want the way we want to! Janel is living proof of that. And we should note, Le Mieux stepped up to the the FIRST official sponsor of this show on faith and belief in the concept alone. The sisterhood is strong! 

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Thank you to our sponsor Le Mieux. For more info go to www.lemieuxskincare.com

This is the episode we've ALL been waiting for, especially Kelly Hu since she suggested this topic when we first launched "Shoes Off Inside". We are talking about SEX, a subject that most everyone is interested in openly or secretly. The problem is, not a lot of people, especially women, are comfortable talking freely and specifically about sex. That's why we invited sexpert and host of Luvbites, Dr. Tara, to help us strip (pun intended) away the straight-laced veil (pun intended again) and get down and dirty! What's the best way to achieve orgasm? How do you masturbate? What vibrators work best? What's "pegging"? How do sex surrogates work? How can sexual meditation help? So many questions and to think, we JUST scratched the surface! Get ready for an informative, raucous, honest and HILARIOUS episode! 

For more info on Dr. Tara:https://www.luvbites.co

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