Take1.5 Podcast: Stories from the Messy In-between

In this intimate conversation, I sit down with my 78-year-old mother as she shares her story of resilience, sacrifice, and love. A first-generation immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in the 1980s, she worked long hours in a garment factory to provide a better future for her children. She opens up about her dreams, disappointments, and the quiet strength that carried her through a difficult marriage and crushed hopes. Now a proud grandmother—and recently, a great-grandmother—she reflects on the heartbreaks and joys that shaped her life. This is her voice, her journey, in her own words.

#gyopo #immigrants #1generationimmigrants #immigrantfamilystory #koreanamericanstory #asianamericanstory #1.5generation #culture #bi-cultural

Ahrom Kim, PhD, is a 1.25 generation Korean immigrant, UX researcher, educator, former biology professor, and working mom. In this episode, she shares her journey from Korea to the U.S., her pivot from academia to tech, and how she's learned to navigate parenting and professional life with a growth mindset. We talk about why trusting a child’s natural curiosity can lead to greater success than chasing perfect grades—and how cultural expectations around achievement are evolving.🎧 Listen for insights on:Bridging Korean and American education systemsCareer reinvention across disciplinesParenting without pressureGrowth mindset in work and life#Podcast #Take1.5 #AhromKim #KoreanAmerican #Parenting #UXResearch #GrowthMindset #ImmigrantStories #CareerPivot #WomenInTech#koreanamericanstory

🇰🇷🇺🇸 Meet Rosa Her — a Korean-born UX/UI designer whose creative journey spans the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Since first arriving in the U.S. as an exchange student in 2008, Rosa has built a dynamic career in digital design, working with clients across South Korea and the United States. Now based in New York, she continues to bridge cultures through both design and performance.In 2015, she was awarded Miss Photogenic at the Miss Asian Global Pageant in San Francisco, a reflection of her vibrant presence and confidence. Beyond design, Rosa is also a passionate performer — since 2018, she's been dancing with Harmonyc, a K-pop cover team that celebrates Korean culture through choreography and community.🎨 Whether through pixels or performances, Rosa brings creativity, collaboration, and cross-cultural connection to everything she does.📍Follow her story of design, dance, and discovery across continents and cultures.

By 25, Kevin was the youngest department head in his industry, leading a team of 60+ and racing up the corporate ladder. On the outside, he had it all. But behind the scenes, he was working 15–18-hour days, sacrificing friendships, and convincing himself there was no time for meaningful connection.That all changed in 2020 during his first solo trip. What started as an escape became a turning point—he formed deep friendships with strangers, experienced the richness of human connection, and realized what he had been missing all along.Fast forward to today: Kevin’s built thriving social circles across 15 countries and 5 continents, connecting with people from over 140 nationalities. Now, he helps other high achievers build the relationships they never thought they had time for.This episode reminds us that success isn’t just about titles or numbers—it’s about the people we share it with.*****Contact Kevin https://www.instagram.com/thekoreanexpat/

Celina Lee is the founder of Live Your Dream Club and a globally recognized executive and career coach. She is also a lawyer, award-winning writer, and the host of Live Your Dream Podcast.She has extensive experiences coaching many executives and corporate professionals to achieve success and fulfillment in their careers, and has given speeches and delivered workshops in many countries. Celina started her career as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch and worked as a corporate lawyer at a law firm, Ropes & Gray LLP in New York City. On her Live Your Dream Podcast, which has listeners from over 100 countries around the world, she shares lessons learned in her journey as well as interviews from inspirational leaders from diverse industries about what they have learned in life and career.Celina is the founder of Give One Dream, a global movement that inspires people to pursue and achieve their dreams.She has been invited to deliver keynote speeches and speak at industry-leading events, universities, and organizations including TEDx, MIT, Stanford, Princeton University, and Google.Celina received her undergraduate degree from MIT and law degree from U.C. Berkeley School of Law. She is a certified professional coach and is a graduate of the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). www.celinalee.co/

Patrick (and Jessica) of VanBooboo join me in this episode. They quit their jobs, sold the house, and hit the road with their three dogs to chase adventure across Alaska in a camper van. Yep, they lived the van life for three years, wild and free!They are now settled in Anchorage, but their love for the wild is still going strong. In this episode, Patrick shares stories from the road, life with the dogs, wild Alaskan moments, fishing tales, hiking highs, how they forage and live close to nature, and some valuable travel tips.🎣 Fishing | 🌲 Hiking | 🐻 Wildlife | 🍄 Foraging | 🛻 Van Life Vibes📍 Now based in Anchorage, AK Contact Vanbooboo for travel tips🎧 Tune in, chill out, and let’s explore together.#VanBoobooWH #VanLifeAlaska #DogsInAVan #AlaskaAdventures #LifeOutdoors #FromVanToAnchorage#travel#travelvlog#gyopo#koreanamerican#immigrantlife#alaska#wildlife#koreanamerican#1.5generation#bicultural#bilingual#identity#selfaware#koreanamericanstory

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jang Cho, a child and adult psychiatrist, to explore the complex layers of internalized racism within the Asian American community. Together, we unpack how racism and bias—both subtle and overt—have shaped the mental health, identity, and self-perception of generations of Asian Americans. From the model minority myth to everyday microaggressions, Dr. Cho shares insights from both her clinical practice and personal experiences. We also discuss the lasting psychological impact of systemic racism, how it often goes unspoken in Asian families, and ways individuals and communities can begin to heal and reclaim their narratives.

#racism#intenalizedracism#microaggression#koreanamerican#asianamerican#aapi#immigrantlife#gyopo#1.5generation#이민생활#미국생활#교포#1.5세#인종차별#아시안#한국인#미국인#백인#황인종#흑인#차별대우#이민자

Jae Kwon, a writer, had perfect SAT scores, started college at an Ivy League school, dropped out, and became a popular SAT tutor and college coach. He navigates the complexities of Korean American identity while working at a Pocha, standing up for his community, and writing about his own 1.5 experience with no translation! —feeling isolated and othered yet capable of everything. From the Korean church to the cultural divide between "Twinkies" and "FOBs," Jae is the big brother who fights for others through his writing while figuring out his own path.#SAT만점받은 대학중퇴생#포차에서알바#교회오빠#콜럼비아대학

#대학입시코치#30대남자#1.5세남자#대학생#포차#이민교회#EM#KM#pocha#이민자#인종차별#교포포#1.5세#미국생활#이중언어#다문화#콜럼비아대학#작가#이민법

Join Jenna Lee Kim, an American transracial Korean adoptee living on Jeju Island, Korea, as she embarks on a heartfelt journey to explore belonging and intersectional identities. In the land of her birth, Jenna dives deep into personal narratives, learning about others while uncovering more about her own identity and heritage.Through community engagement and storytelling, Jenna amplifies the voices of fellow adoptees and those navigating complex cultural identities. Her mission is to foster connection, empower others, and provide support for those on their path to self-discovery and truth. No one travels this journey alone.Jenna's unique background includes serving as the first female mayor of Royersford, PA (2018–2023), a decade-long career in higher education, and earning an MS in education from Bucknell University and a writing degree from Susquehanna University. She offers virtual workshops and speaking engagements on transracial adoption and identity. Additionally, her retreat, Rejuvenate on Jeju with Jenna, provides returning Koreans with a personalized day of reflection and renewal.🎧 Listen on Spotify: Exploring with Jenna Lee Kim📩 Contact: [email protected]📢 Follow her journey: @mayor.jenna.explores | JennaLeeKim.substack.com🔗 More: linktr.ee/jennaleekim

#adoption#adoptee#koreanadoptee#birthfamily#law#father#mother#bioloicalfamily#jeju#korea#american#tck#adoptionjourney#motherland#english#mayor#identity#culturalidentity#bilingual#bicultural#asianamerican#koreanamericanstory

Rice Blossoms is where tradition meets artistry. Jennifer Lee, a 1.5-generation Korean American, explores the rich heritage behind Korean desserts while embracing a modern, luxurious approach to rice cakes. Jennifer shares her journey of blending tradition with innovation—drawing from her cultural roots to craft intricate, flower-adorned rice cakes that are as meaningful as they are beautiful through conversations with the Take1.5 podcast on food, identity, and entrepreneurship. This episode is a celebration of culture, creativity, and connection.

www.riceblossoms.com

#koreanamerican#dessert#ricecake#gyopo#1.5generation#riceblossoms#1.5generation#traditionaldessert#k-culture#k-food#kpop#muckbang#koreanamericanstories#koreanamericanlife#modernkoreandessert#전통디져트#뉴욕#교포사회#2세#koreanamericanstory#koreanamericanpodcast#1.5genpodcast#bicultural#bilingual#