Yellow Glitter

On this episode of Yellow Glitter, I'm joined by Randy Kim, a queer, second-generation Viet-Khmer American from Chicagoland and podcast host of The Banh Mi Chronicles, highlighting uplifting important Asian voices. We chat about the Asian diaspora, how to heal the trauma of our parents, coming out, the importance of storytelling history of Asian culture, creating inclusive spaces, and why the slogan "representation matters" needs updating.

Randy Kim is a queer 2nd generation Viet-Khmer American from the Chicagoland area. Randy currently serves as a board member with the National Cambodian Heritage Museum. He is the co-producer with founder Ada Cheng for TALK Stories: An Asian American/Asian Diaspora Storytelling Show in Chicago. He is the producer and host of "The Banh Mi Chronicles" podcast which can be on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast. Randy is currently working on his Master's in Non Profit Management at DePaul University.

In this episode we talk about:

• How he started his podcast, The Banh Mi Chronicles
• His relationship with Ada Cheng and creating space for Asian diaspora
• The creative process of focusing on need over entertainment
• Importance of inclusive and diverse spaces in storytelling
• The issue with "representation matters"
• Randy's story of his heritage, coming out, and finding a community
• How to help our parents heal and process their trauma
• Why Asian history is paramount to our growth and activism

Show notes:

• Sigh, Gone: A Misfit's Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In by Phuc Tran
• Ada Cheng
• National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial
• Banh Mi Chronicles - MILCK
• Banh Mi Chronicles - D&I with Michelle Kim
• Banh Mi Chronicles - Kathy Park Hong

You can find Randy Kim at:

Facebook: @banhmichronicles

Instagram: @banhmi_chronicles

You can follow me at:

Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi

YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi

Weekly Newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

In this episode, we are joined by Mike Curato, a queer Asian author and illustrator, to talk about his latest graphic novel, Flamer, inspired by his own personal life story. We cover a lot of topics including, mental health, bullying, suicide, and the wave of intolerance plaguing our country, and also looking ahead at how we can all do better.

Mike Curato is a gay first generation half Filipino-Irish American author and illustrator of books for youth. He has created many picture books for young children, and just released his debut queer young adult graphic novel, Flamer.

In this episode we talk about:

• How Mike is managing quarantine life and Zoom dates
• Experience of growing up biracial in an intolerant world
• The importance of finding community
• Why honesty is important in writing a book and how our shared humanity connects us together
• Finding family in the queer community - but also facing racism within our queer circles
• Navigating intolerance within dating apps and within our own gaysian community
• Mike's experience with bullying and thoughts of suicide and how it inspired the plot of Flamer
• What got him through the suicidal ideations and difficult high school experiences
• The journey towards self-discovery and turning towards healing
• Why sharing our story is so critical to help us understand each other
• The importance of looking inward at our own internalized racism and intolerance

Show notes:

• Kuku Hughs - Displacement
• Trung Le Nguyen - The Magic Fish
• Alison Bechdel - Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
• Alison Bechdel - The Essential Dykes to Watch Out For
• Ocean Vuong - On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

You can find Mike Curato at:Twitter: @MikeCuratoInstagram: @mike_curatoWebsite: mikecurato.com

You can follow me at:

Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Weekly Newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

In this episode, we are joined by Jon Lee-Olsen, a professional ice-hockey player who made headlines as the first openly out player in Europe and third in the world. We talk about his experience coming out nationally, managing relationships alongside a sports career, and his experiences as a transracial adoptee.

Jon (he/him) is Danish transracial adoptee from Korea who currently lives in Copenhagen Denmark. He was the first to come out as a gay man in professional ice-hockey in Europe and the third in the world. Now he is harnessing his story to help uplift LGBTQ+ and the Asian community.

In this episode we talk about:

• Experiences of being an Asian transracial adoptee growing up in a white community
• How he discovered hockey while coming to terms with his own sexuality
• His experience coming out on national television for the first time
• Combatting the fears of being the first openly out gay ice-hockey player in Europe
• How being open about his identity improved his hockey
• Lessons in relationships balancing a professional sports career

Show notes:

• LGBTQ+ organizations (list on Wikipedia)
• Jon Lee-Olsen comes out nationally (OutSports)
• You can find Jon Lee-Olsen next at Copenhagen world pride 2021, Eurogames 2021, Athlete ally, Sport leaders conference 2021 (CPH), and Human rights forum 2021 (CPH).

You can find Jon Lee-Olsen at:

Instagram: @jonleeolsen

Twitter: @jonleeolsen

Facebook: @jonleeolsen

You can follow me at:

Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi

YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi

Weekly Newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

In this episode, we are joined by Rain Valdez to talk about her journey from the Philippines and Guam to the Emmy-nominated actress and producer she is today. We talk about her Emmy-nominated show, Razor Tongue, as well as her recent work on Disclosure highlighting the impact Hollywood has had on the trans community. We have a beautiful conversation with Rain about trans talent and the importance of visibility and stories in media.

Rain Valdez is an Emmy nominated actress most notably known for Razor Tongue, Transparent and Why Women Kill. She's an award-winning filmmaker and an out and proud transgender woman and activist. Rain is also the founder of ActNOW, the first and only LGBTQIA+ acting class in Los Angeles that teaches beyond the binary.

On this episode we talk about:

• COVID-19 check-in and finding motivation to get fit during quarantine
• Her story growing up in the Philippines and Guam
• Finding pride in her heritage and how it translates into her work
• Knowing her dream to become an actress early on and getting started with her career
• The struggles of finding work as an Asian and trans actress
• When she quit acting and boomeranging back
• What she asks herself when she questions her dreams
• Her response to Disclosure on Netflix and why we need to raise trans voices now more than ever
• What the Emmy nomination means to her, especially as the very first Filipina trans actress
• Giving trans talent access to more opportunity to tell different stories
• Why being accessible and creating a loving set is critical towards equity
• Rain's inspiration behind her acting class, ACT NOW

"Move mountains with the people that you love. Find people in your community that you want to move mountains … you'll find joy in creating with those people because you're doing it together."

Show notes:

• Fitness classes with Chloe Tang: chloeting.com | @chloe_t
• Disclosure on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81284247
• Razor Tongue (Rain's Emmy Nominee!) https://www.noweverartists.com/razortongue
• Pose on FX: https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/pose
• ACT NOW: https://www.noweverartists.com/act-nowever

You can find Rain Valdez at:

http://www.rainvaldez.com/

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook (@RainValdez)

You can follow me at:

Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi)

YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi)

Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)

In this episode, we are joined by Amazin LeThi, LGBTQ+ sports ambassador, former competitive bodybuilder, entertainment executive, and fitness author to chat about current events and her life journey. We talk about trans-racial issues, equity and representation in media, and body positivity, homelessness in our queer community, and so much more.

Amazin LeThi (she/her) is an Athlete Ally and Stonewall sports ambassador, former competitive bodybuilder, entertainment executive and the first Vietnamese internationally published fitness author. Through her personal journey of homelessness she founded the Amazin LeThi Foundation. Amazin has shared her story for 'Its Gets Better' campaign and the first White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Asian anti-bullying campaign 'Act to Change'. She has been recognized by GLAAD and NQAPIA for her LGBTQ advocacy. She was the first Asian LGBTQ Athlete in 2020 to be honoured at the Brooklyn Nets 4th Annual Pride Night, she has also been listed in the Australian Pride Power List, Out 100 List, Go Magazine 100 Women We Love List, 2020 Global Changemakers and acknowledged in the Human Rights Campaign - Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Honours list.

On this episode we talk about:

• Managing through this current pandemic and ways Amazin is finding balance of news with classical music and fitness
• Her story growing up in Saigon and being adopted into a trans-racial family in Australia
• The complexities of racism and prejudice between trans-racial adoptees and their family
• Getting involved with weight training as the only queer and Asian individaul as an eight year old.
• Going back to Vietnam and reconnecting with her Asian identity
• The duality of identity between East and Western culture, hypersexualized and de-sexualized Asian men and women in media
• Becoming open to vulnerability and accepting ourselves unconditionally
• Body positivity within the queer community and gender roles we are often asked to play into
• Queer Asian representation in our media, education and history books
• Homelessness and its impact to our LGBTQ+ youth, mental health, and livelihoods
• The power of solidarity and sharing our stories together

You can find Amazin at:

amazinlethi.com

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook (@AmazinLeThi)

You can follow me at:

Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi)

YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi)

Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)

I am joined by none other than Ian Alexander (Buck Vu of The OA) and Vivien Ngô (Trinh Phan of Queen Sugar) to talk about what it's like being gaysian in the entertainment industry, their humble beginnings as children of Asian immigrants, and their latest thriller, Daughter. They share some mindful advice on how to create a more equitable workspace for queer actors and having more diverse representation for cast and crew.

IAN ALEXANDER

Ian (he/him) is an actor best known for his role as Buck Vu in the Netflix sci-fi series The OA. He will be making his video game debut as "Lev" in the highly anticipated The Last of Us Part II for Naughty Dog. Ian is a passionate advocate for transgender and racial justice, and he hopes to see more representation of transgender youth in media. When he's not on set, Ian loves taking naps and walking his dog Max.

VIVIEN NGÔ

Vivien (she/her) is most known for her role as Trinh Phan on Ava Duvernay's Queen Sugar, and roles on NCIS: New Orleans, Shameless, and films that have played at Slamdance, SXSW, Fantastic Fest, and Cannes. Other career highlights include being drowned on primetime tv, eating nước mắm on cable tv, and talking to an imaginary dagger on Shakespeare's Globe. In her free time, she enjoys browsing the web for Vietnamese memes… and dogs!

On this episode, we talk about:

• What it was like navigating their queer identity with Asian immigrant families
• Growing up Asian and discovering Asian pride
• Experience working on The OA as one of the first trans Asian roles in media
• How was it like being transformed into a video game character
• Working with Ava DuVernay and learning how she casts for roles
• Fundraising and leading a POC-led film, Daughter
• Advice on how to casting more diverse crew and talent
• Creating a more equitable work environment, especially for trans and POC
• Why representation is so important in media and entertainment

GLAAD trans resources: https://www.glaad.org/transgender/resources

Daughter's Seed & Spark campaign: https://www.seedandspark.com/fund/daughter#story

You can find Ian at @ianaiexander

You can find Vivien at @vivientngo

You can follow me at:

• Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi)
• YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi)
• Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)

In this powerful episode, I'm joined by Kalaya'an Mendoza, a nonviolent direct action trainer and disaster preparedness expert, to talk about the current climate and advice for those who headed out to protest in the streets. We chat about how we can show solidarity with Black folx and addressing racism within our Asian community.

Kalaya'an Mendoza (he/him) is a nonviolent direct action trainer, Disaster Preparedness expert recognized by TIME Magazine and has spent the last twenty years of his life fighting for social justice on Turtle Island and around the world alongside Human Rights Defenders in the Global South.

In this episode we talk about:

• The current social situation and what is happening all around the US
• Why Black lives matter
• How he discovered activism in high school
• The importance of activism on the streets and behind the keyboard
• Tips on how to prepare for going out into the streets
• Using OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) loops
• Doing the work in our communities and in our Asian families
• What are some common issues affecting first-time protesters?
• Taking care of yourself to take care of the community
• Never showing up empty-handed
• His experience protesting in Beijing and facing possible death
• What does it mean to be in solidarity with Black folx
• Addressing racism in the Asian community
• How to connect with our friends and family to have these tough conversations

People we mentioned on the show:

• Mia Mingus (disability activist)
• Alice Wong (disability activist)
• Alicia Garza (Black Lives Matter)
• Patrisse Cullors (Black Lives Matter)

You can find Kalaya'an on Instagram (@kalamendoza) and Twitter (@kalamendoza) and his email [email protected]

Check out his nonprofit Across Front Lines at acrossfrontlines.org.

You can follow me at:

• Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi)
• YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi)
• Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)

With the novel coronavirus spreading all around the world, so has intolerant attitudes towards Asians. Hate crimes have increased to unsettling amounts and it seems to get worse with each passing day. I am joined in this conversation with our returning guest Derek Tran to unpack the racism towards Asians and offer some advice on how to navigate it. This episode, we talk about:

• The current climate of COVID-19 and racism
• Why is this racism different from many others?
• Addressing the op-ed by Andrew Yang
• Derek's personal experience with recent racism
• Why we struggle to call-out and stand up for ourselves as Asians
• Why is this even harder for gaysians?
• Defining what a hate crime is
• Why we love Cardi B
• What is the difference between calling in and calling out
• Some resources to stop AAPI hate

Things form our show: Stop AAPI Hate: http://www.asianpacificpolicyandplanningcouncil.org/stop-aapi-hate/ Our favorite activism socials: @Next Shark, @JackFroot, @AsianswithAttitudes Our guest on this podcast: Derek Tran (he/him/his) is a gay, second-generation Vietnamese-American entrepreneur residing in Los Angeles. His interests include mindfulness, fitness, environmental sustainability and has been an integral part of the LA Gaysian scene for more than 20+ years. You can find him on instagram @FindYourFearless You can reach out to me on: Instagram @StevenWakabayashi Facebook @wakuu and Twitter @wakuu And if you want to subscribe to my weekly email newsletter, you can find my writings at mindfulmoments.substack.com

We are living in an unprecedented era with many of us confined in our own homes, facing uncertainty around COVID-19, and experiencing sudden changes in employment. Join us for a session as we have a chat on staying physically and mentally healthy amidst COVID-19, establishing mindfulness to stay present and peaceful, understanding trauma responses during difficult times, and managing sudden shifts in employment. This episode, we talk about:

• Establishing mindfulness to stay present and peaceful
• Managing physical health with COVID-19 and what are recommendations on staying safe from this virus
• Maintaining mental health with balance and routine during shelter-in-place
• Establishing boundaries to prioritize ourselves
• Staying connected and navigating social media and news during a pandemic
• Understanding trauma response during turbulent times
• What are some opportunities we have during these difficult times
• Managing sudden shifts at work
• Resources to help those that are facing unemployment

Our guests on this podcast are: Ning Jo (he/him) is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. He specializes in gender, sexuality, and cultural influences on mental health. Marti G Cummings (they/them) is a candidate for NYC Council District 7, drag artist, comedian, activist, and spouse. They currently sit on community board 9, serving the people of Upper Manhattan and are an advisory on the Mayor's nightlife council.

• Instagram @MartiGCummings
• Twitter @MartiGCummings
• Facebook @MartiGCummings

You can follow me at:

• Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi)
• YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi)
• Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)

This episode, we talk about the continued struggles with COVID-19 here in NYC. But in light of this, there is also opportunity to connect with friends, family, our finances, emotions, feelings, and the planet. We also touch on some of the discriminatory laws that were recently passed against trans folks in Idaho. This episode, we talk about:

• The current state of COVID-19 in NYC
• Finding opportunity in our living situation right now, amidst everyone staying at home
• Taking time to deepen our relationship with those we are living with
• Practicing unconditional love and kindness for those we struggle with
• How to become more present with our feelings and emotions
• Clamping down on our finances
• How might we improve our relationship with this planet
• The recent discriminatory bill passed by Gov. Brad Little hurting our trans community in Idaho

You can follow me at: Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi) YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi) Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)