Shoes Off Inside with MKT

This podcast has been chugging away for six years, which is a lifetime in the world of podcasting. First as "The May Lee Show" when Covid-19 was raging and Anti-Asian hate was exploding. Then the show evolved into "Shoes Off Inside" with May Lee, Kelly Hu and Tamlyn Tomita. The trio of bold, outspoken and entertaining Asian American women did what they do best...speak openly and honestly about anything and everything. In this unusual episode, May is solo and speaks from the heart about the past six years and if, perhaps, this may be a time to pivot. What better time to contemplate big decisions than the Year of the Fire Horse, which calls for courage, clarity and forward motion. 

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It's that time of year again when May, Kelly and Tamlyn share their "Favorite Things" for the holidays, BUT this year they took a bit of a turn given how challenging 2025 has been. Instead of focusing on things, they're sharing how experiences like travel, new puppies and our mothers, which have brought us both incredible joy and profound heartbreak. MKT also have a rather salty conversation about a certain kind of dog treat and what it's potentially made of. To say the chat goes off the rails would be an understatement. Enjoy this final episode of 2025 as we all say farewell to one hell of a year!

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October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but honestly, breast health is something we need to stay aware of all year. Regular screenings are key—but here’s the shocker: traditional mammograms can miss up to 50–60% of breast cancers in women with dense breast tissue. And dense breasts are common—about 40% of women in the U.S. have them, and around 80% of Asian women do.
But there is a better option. In this episode, we talk with Brendan Foley, President and Co-Founder of Eve Wellness, about a new kind of screening that uses 3D breast ultrasound + AI to find cancer earlier without radiation, compression, or that whole boob-smash situation. Yes, you read that right. No. More. Boob Pancakes!

We also get real about another topic: aging and identity. While Tamlyn’s out for a very good reason (we explain in the episode), Kelly and May dive into what it feels like to “age out” as women—when careers shift, kids grow up, parents pass away, and suddenly you’re wondering, Okay… now who am I? It’s open, honest, a little vulnerable, and very, very relatable.

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In this heartfelt episode, May, Kelly and Tamlyn discuss the emotional journey of dealing with loss, particularly May's experience with her mother's cancer and recent passing. They explore the significance of expressing love, cultural differences in communication, and the impact of grief on personal identity. MKT also touch on the complexities of hospice care, the importance of preserving family legacies through storytelling and the unique presence of Asian mothers in the lives of their daughters both good and bad. And, of course, MKT tackle the pressing issues of the political and social climate here in the U.S. because it is truly a Sh*t Show. This is a not-to-be-missed episode that will touch each and every viewer and leave you with so much to contemplate on a deeper level. 

Takeaways

-The importance of open communication in expressing love.
-Cultural differences can affect how we show affection.
-Grief can profoundly impact one's sense of identity.
-Home hospice care uniquely personal.
-Preserving family stories and legacies is crucial for future generations.
-Art and poetry can be powerful tools for processing grief.
-It's important to cherish the time we have with loved ones.
-Political issues can weigh heavily on emotional well-being.
-Finding hope in difficult times is essential for resilience.

Show Notes:
outsideintheatre.org
Myung Lee's book of poetry and art "The Push of the Golden Reed"

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In this episode of "Shoes Off Inside", we attempt to talk about everything and the kitchen sink because there is so much happening every week, every day, every hour. May, Kelly and Tamlyn recorded this episode before protests against ICE raids in the Los Angeles area were inflamed by Trump's order to send in the National Guard and threats of U.S. military intervention. But make no mistake, MKT do NOT hold back when it comes to their thoughts on Donald Trump and his policies, Elon Musk and his erratic behavior. 

But at the heart of this episode is a very sincere, vulnerable and painful talk about our elderly parents and the struggle and heartbreak of caretaking...especially as Asians. Get your tissues ready. This will strike a chord regardless of your situation because it's about the power of love and what we're willing to do for our loved ones.

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The trade war between the U.S. and the world isn’t just an abstract concept. It’s something very real and painful for small businesses, especially those that rely on products from China. In this episode, we talk to two Asian American female small business owners who are fearful about their future because of the wild swings in tariff policy. First it was a 145% tariff imposed by Donald Trump on all Chinese imports to the U.S.. China responded by slapping a 125% tariff on U.S, imports. But on Monday, May 12, it was announced after meetings in Switzerland, that there will be a 90 day pause on the triple digit tariffs to allow for more negotiations. Although this may seem like progress, there's apprehension about what's coming next, especially since the trade war, to many, was self-inflicted by the U.S. President. China, on the other hand, has not changed its policy nor has it agreed to any concessions or compromise.  For small business owners like Elenor Mak, founder of Jilly Bing dolls and Evelyn Wang, founder of the hair care line Silverist, the uncertainty only fuels their fears and anxieties. But, they're also not willing to give up the fight to save their businesses. Both true examples of fierce, Asian female entrepreneurs! 

PLEASE NOTE: This episode was recorded BEFORE the conclusion of the meetings between U.S. and Chinese officials in Switzerland. 

Show Notes:
jillybing.com 
silverist.com 

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The current trade war between the U.S. and China has already sent shock waves around the world and this is just the beginning IF an agreement can't be reached. But there are some giant obstacles that stand in the way of any peace...Donald Trump's lack of understanding when it comes to China's global reach and influence AND Xi Jinping's need to show strength against a perceived western bully. Xi is already shifting from American reliance and cutting new deals with other nations. But it's not just about monetary trade for China...it's also about the growing nationalistic fervor, inflamed by J.D. Vance, by calling Chinese "peasants". Poking the dragon with insults was a mistake. And what about other Asian nations that have been slapped with unexpectedly high tariffs such as Vietnam? In this episode of "Shoes Off inside 1-on-1", May sits down with Eric Olander, longtime China watcher, journalist and analyst based in Vietnam. Eric's deep knowledge of Chinese history and its global relationships helps put this current dangerous trade war into context. To understand the present and the future, we must understand the painful past.

Eric Olander, Co-Founder/Editor-in-Chief

www.chinaglobalsouth.com 

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On a daily basis, Americans and the world are being overwhelmed by the Trump administration's decisions that are deeply consequential politically, economically, socially and constitutionally. Since Trump's first term, the press has been under fire often being called the "Fake News". In this second term, the attacks are growing stronger. On March 15, the U.S. President signed an executive order to shut down the Voice of America, a government funded network that has provided news and information to the world for more than 80 years. VOA is one of the most trusted news sources to 350 million people globally, often in places where the idea of free press is non-existent...North Korea, Myanmar, Belarus, Venezuela to name a few. In this episode of Shoes Off Inside 1-on-1, May talks with her old journalist colleague and friend Steve Herman, VOA's Chief National Correspondent, about the significance of the network's mission and what the devestating impact the shutdown of VOA will have on the world. 

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What happens when we take ACTION to find joy, connection and inspiration? From taking a vacation to going to see live theatre to getting emotionally invested in the livelihood of a bald eagle family (May is obsessed!), these are just some of the ways we are finding light in the darkness. But that's not to say May, Kelly and Tamlyn are ignoring the reality of what's happening around us. The key is to find the humanity in our stories, in art, in history, in nature, in life. And when we come together to share these experiences it's called "Collective Effervescence", a concept coined by Sociologist Émile Durkheim, to describe the feeling of intense shared emotional activation and a sense of unison that emerges when people come together and engage in a shared activity or experience. So join MKT in this episode as we share Collective Effervescence together. 

Show Notes:
"Here there are blueberries" tickets (runs until 3/30/25
thewallis.org

"Cambodian Rock Band" tickets (runs until 3/23/25)
eastwestplayers.org 

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One important pillar of a functioning Democracy is the press and the ability to freely report truth and fact to the public. But has been a steady erosion of journalistic efforts due to the current political chaos in the U.S. and that is leading to genuine fears that journalism, as we know it, will soon vanish and, instead, a type of propaganda will take its place. This is textbook dictatorial behavior. May is joined by fellow journalist, Rebecca Sun, to talk about how their industry has changed dramatically and what can be done to save the important work that journalists are committed to doing. Not easy when billionaires are creating media empires and politicians label journalists as the "enemy of the people". Don't miss this crucial episode. 

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