If you're a fan of YA fiction, you're going to love The Balloon Thief. We chatted with the author, Aneesa Marufu, who lives in Manchester. The Balloon Thief is a young adult fantasy inspired by her South Asian heritage and her obsession with hot air balloons.

We talk about 

🖊️Aneesa's journey as an author

🖊️Where she gets her inspirations

🖊️The reason behind her hot air balloon obsession 👀

Enjoy!

Connect with Aneesa//

Website https://aneesamarufu.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AneesaMarufu

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/aneesa.marufu/

Book link: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-balloon-thief/aneesa-marufu/9781915026156

Audiobook: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Balloon-Thief-Audiobook/B09TBG3RK3?qid=1647548433&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=c6e316b8-14da-418d-8f91-b3cad83c5183&pf_rd_r=4Z80J216P0JEMQ0F04GT

~~⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲? Leave a review on Apple podcasts and follow us on your fav podcast platform!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀? DM us on Insta (link below) or email us at [email protected]⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺! https://www.instagram.com/spillthecha.pod ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 by ninjoi. - Acceptance - https://thmatc.co/?l=B8AF58F  ⁣

We're back with a special episode with Joelle and her grandma where they talk about her grandma's life in Vietnam and as a nurse in England in the 1960's!  

We chat about

⭐ Life in Saigon, Vietnam before the America/Vietnam war 

⭐ Funny stories from when she was a nurse in the UK

⭐ How she got to where she is today in Singapore

Hopefully this episode encourages you to speak to your parents and grandparents about their own stories to get to know them more!

~~⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲? Leave a review on Apple podcasts and follow us on your fav podcast platform!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀? DM us on Insta (link below) or email us at [email protected]⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺! https://www.instagram.com/spillthecha.pod ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 by ninjoi. - Acceptance - https://thmatc.co/?l=B8AF58F  ⁣

It's been a while since we last did an episode with just the 4 of us and SO much has happened!⁣⁣

⁣⁣

Some of us have started working #adulting, some of us have moved to a different country and city...⁣ (listen for a snippet about Lauren's mini moments of fame)⁣

⁣⁣

In Episode 35, we⁣⁣

⭐ update you guys on our lives⁣⁣

⭐ reflect on the past 1 year of Spill The Cha⁣⁣

⭐ make a confession...😬⁣⁣

Enjoy!

~~⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲? Leave a review on Apple podcasts and follow us on your fav podcast platform!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀? DM us on Insta (link below) or email us at [email protected]⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺! https://www.instagram.com/spillthecha.pod ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 by ninjoi. - Acceptance - https://thmatc.co/?l=B8AF58F  ⁣

EP34 Careers Talk & More w/ Sophia & Jem from Bam&Beyond⁣⁣

We finally got to collab with two of the amazing members of @bamnbeyond Sophia and Jem! ⁣⁣

We ended up talking a lot about careers so we hope you'll be encouraged and inspired by our conversation. Here's a summary of our chat:⁣⁣

🎥 Asians in creative industries⁣⁣

🤝Representation and offering opportunities⁣⁣

🤩 Biggest Asian inpsos⁣⁣

💓 BAM projects they're proudest of⁣⁣

~~ Enjoy! 🎙️⁣⁣

⁣⁣

~~⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲? Leave a review on Apple podcasts and follow us on your fav podcast platform!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀? DM us on Insta (link below) or email us at [email protected]⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺! https://www.instagram.com/spillthecha.pod ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 by ninjoi. - Acceptance - https://thmatc.co/?l=B8AF58F  ⁣

🌎As it was World Mental Health Day just over a week ago, we wanted to delve into this topic with someone who has a perspective on mental health as a mental health professional themselves.⁣

⁣

We had the honour of speaking with Erika, who is an Integrative Psychotherapist with a special interest in maternal mental health and intercultural topics.⁣

⁣

We discussed:⁣

💛 Switching off from work ⁣

💛 Raising her own children with a positive view of emotional health⁣

💛 Her intersectional experiences of mental health as a Korean Christian woman counsellor⁣

⁣

And much more!⁣

⁣

It was such an enlightening conversation and Erika shares so much wisdom so we hope you take something away about mental health or counselling 🙌

Connect w/ Erika

Website www.erikakimcounselling.com

IG: erikakim_counselling  

Dubu or Not Tofu Podcast: https://bit.ly/dubuornottofu

Erika is an American Korean Integrative Psychotherapist who runs a private counselling practice based in the UK. She sees both individuals and couples in person and online. While she sees clients for a wide range of topics, she has a special interest in intercultural topics and maternal mental health.

~~⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲? Leave a review on Apple podcasts and follow us on your fav podcast platform!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀? DM us on Insta (link below) or email us at [email protected]⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺! https://www.instagram.com/spillthecha.pod ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 by ninjoi. - Acceptance - https://thmatc.co/?l=B8AF58F  ⁣

We had a tonne of laughs recording this with the Unapologetically Azn gals from down under⁣⁣ ⁣

⁣⁣⁣

Here's some of what we chatted about:⁣

✨growing up Asian Australian and seeing just how similar our experiences over in the UK are⁣⁣⁣

✨our shared love for kdramas and Park Seo Joon⁣⁣⁣

✨explaining British slang and trying each other's accents.. lol😂⁣

⁣

Enjoy! We promise you'll end up with abs 🍫🤣

Connect with Unapologetically Azn//

Insta: @UnapologeticallyAzn

Website: UnapologeticallyAsian.com.au

~~⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲? Leave a review on Apple podcasts and follow us on your fav podcast platform!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀? DM us on Insta (link below) or email us at [email protected]⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺! https://www.instagram.com/spillthecha.pod ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 by ninjoi. - Acceptance - https://thmatc.co/?l=B8AF58F  ⁣

 We had a tonne of laughs recording this with the Unapologetically Azn gals from down under⁣⁣ ⁣

⁣⁣⁣

Here's some of what we chatted about:⁣

✨growing up Asian Australian and seeing just how similar our experiences over in the UK are⁣⁣⁣

✨our shared love for kdramas and Park Seo Joon⁣⁣⁣

✨explaining British slang and trying each other's accents.. lol

 EP31 Be(hind the)sea.ns w/ Amy and Karlie from Besea.n⁣⁣

⁣⁣

It was an absolute honour to chat with 2 of the powerhouses of @besea.n, @_amy_pix and @wukarlie ⁣⁣

⁣⁣

From organising the UK's first every East & South East Asian Heritage Month #eseahm2021 to bringing the community together, the work that they've done has impacted us and so many others around Britain.⁣

⁣

In this episode, we talk about⁣

✨Creating a space for ESEA people and defined by us⁣

✨Connecting with the wider community and connecting with their own heritage⁣

✨Amy and Karlie's favourite episode of But Where Are You From?⁣

✨How ESEA Heritage Month came into being⁣⁣

⁣

Check out Besea.n!

@besea.n on Instagram

@besea_n on Twitter

besean.co.uk

See the Land, Sea and Stars exhibition on desktop here: landseastars.co.uk

~~⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲? Leave a review on Apple podcasts and follow us on your fav podcast platform!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀? DM us on Insta (link below) or email us at [email protected]⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺! https://www.instagram.com/spillthecha.pod ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 by ninjoi. - Acceptance - https://thmatc.co/?l=B8AF58F  ⁣

After processing the rising violent attacks on the Asian community in the US and the UK, we wanted to have a discussion around how race, and our gender, have impacted us.⁣

⁣

Some of the questions* we discussed were:⁣

💭What did you grow up believing “beautiful” looked like? Where did that come from?⁣

💭How do you define “privilege”? Articulate the privileges you have.⁣

💭What do you hope future generations understand about race?⁣

⁣

Hopefully these questions might prompt some reflection and conversations for you too so we can make change as a community.⁣ If you'd like to talk about your thoughts after listening, feel free to DM or email us!⁣

⁣

*𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 @werenotreallystrangers⁣

~~⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲? Leave a review on Apple podcasts and follow us on your fav podcast platform!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀? DM us on Insta (link below) or email us at [email protected]⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺! https://www.instagram.com/spillthecha.pod ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 by ninjoi. - Acceptance - https://thmatc.co/?l=B8AF58F  ⁣

Spill The Cha with @lajohnla on Episode 29!⁣

⁣

We're huge fans of John, his personality and content so it was such a treat to have him on the podcast. Expect a big range of topics and some belly laughs 🤭🤣⁣

⁣

We chat -⁣

💬Life as a British Chinese guy at uni⁣

💬Toxic masculinity⁣

💬TV show and Kdrama recs⁣

💬John's current skincare routine⁣

⁣

Episode out now on Spotify, Apple Pod + more! Link in bio 👀⁣

⁣

Connect with John//⁣

Insta: @lajohnla https://www.instagram.com/lajohnla/⁣

Youtube: John La https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRIH3jyQQrF_MxBh8lUe4Ow

Born in South East London, John La is a biology student recording the realities of being a uni student whilst sharing his unfiltered, unsolicited opinion.

~~⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲? Leave a review on Apple podcasts and follow us on your fav podcast platform!⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀? DM us on Insta (link below) or email us at [email protected]⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺! https://www.instagram.com/spillthecha.pod ⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 by ninjoi. - Acceptance - https://thmatc.co/?l=B8AF58F  ⁣