This episode, I talk about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. I share how our privilege and ignorance has led us where we are today, why we may be past the point of containment, why getting rid of wet markets is not the solution, addressing xenophobia, and advice on how to cope with emotions during this time.

This episode, we're going to chat about the coronavirus. I talk about: - The clear warnings that were left ignored by Asia and Italy. - How our American privilege has led us to where we are today. - Why focusing on the numbers should not be our main priority - Why getting rid of wet markets is not the solution. - Global xenophobia spurred by this pandemic. - How to deal with racism and prejudice during this time. - Some advice on how to cope and manage emotions. Resources:

• Google Hangouts
• Apple Facetime
• Uber Conference
• Zoom Video Conferencing
• Report anti-Asian harassment or hate-crime to New York City
• • [email protected]
  • 1-800-771-7755
• Nonprofit Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) anti-Asian hate-crime online reporting center

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

This episode, we have none other than Margaret Cho, one of the leading queer Asian voices in comedy, media, and activism here in America. We sit down and talk about her life leading up to comedy, including what it was like growing up in a Korean household, exploring sexuality, dating as a queer Asian, finding spirituality, and practicing mindfulness. She has been a Five-time Grammy and Emmy-nominated comedian, and named one of Rolling Stone magazine's 50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time, 50 People Who Changed American Comedy by CNN, and most recently, stunned America singing her way through the wildly popular break-out hit show The Masked Singer. She is currently on tour with her international "Fresh Off The Bloat" tour and has a brand new podcast, where each week she interviews people YOU KNOW and people she thinks YOU SHOULD KNOW, if you don't already. The 36-episode first season includes guests such as Jonathan Van Ness, Kat Von D, Michael Yo, Kathy Griffin, Quentin Tarantino, Diablo Cody AAAND along with her brand new dog Lucia. On this episode, we talk about:

• Dropping out of school to pursue comedy, especially within Asian culture.
• Growing up in San Francisco in a queer bookstore.
• Life during the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
• Navigating bisexuality within American and Asian cultures.
• How to explore and discover our sexuality.
• Thoughts on dating apps and being catfished.
• Our horror stories on furniture with sharp corners.
• Growing up in Korea and America, within American and Korean culture.
• Cultural shedding in language and mannerisms as part of Americanization.
• Battling internalized racism and dating other Asians.
• Margaret's perspectives on spirituality and religion.
• Why religion and spirituality are ultimately finding what works for us.
• Staying true to herself and integrating social activism into her comedy.
• One of the most important things about doing a comedy show.
• How to stay mindful and present while being on the road on her international tour.

References:

• The Circle Reality Show

Reach out to Margaret Cho:

• https://twitter.com/margaretcho
• https://www.instagram.com/margaret_cho
• https://www.facebook.com/officialmargaretcho/

You can follow me at:

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

For the month of February, we sit down with queer Asian Americans to learn more about how they navigate finding love here in America. This episode, we chat with ONCH, a nonbinary first-generation Taiwanese-American designer in LA about gaysian representation in media, racial fetishism, navigating finding love as a queer Asian, and the impact of social media and dating apps on today's culture. ONCH is a non binary first generation Taiwanese American, the creative force behind the "ONCH" brand (previously known as Onch Movement), designing 'wearable art' for a discerning VIP client list that includes Kate Moss, Kim Kardashian, and Nicki Minaj. ONCH subsequently launched a long term relationship with cult fave Hello Kitty, which culminated in a recent role as designer for the brand's second collection at Forever21, The Hello Kitty Forever jewelry collection. The trend-setter whose work was even featured in a bio-technology textbook and Italian Vogue has also made headlines for daring & unique designs, from "Meat-Lace" meat necklace which was featured by the NY Post, LA Times, Huffington Post, Ripley's Believe It or Not, and In Touch. Summer 2016 ONCH was selected by LAPRIDE as the featured artist to create public art for the main instagrammable moment. Spring/ Summer 2019 six pieces of ONCH designs are on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (NY) for the exhibition "CAMP: Notes on fashion". On this episode we over:

• How ONCH got started in designing jewelry.
• Being one of the only gaysians on reality TV.
• Immigrating to Los Angeles and finding oneself.
• Stereotypes of gaysians and racial "preferences".
• Dealing with racial fetishism.
• Understanding the new era of dating apps.
• Social media how distant it has become from reality.
• Advice on finding love.

You can reach ONCH at:

• https://www.instagram.com/onch
• https://twitter.com/onch
• https://www.facebook.com/onchmovement/

You can follow me at:

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

For the month of February, we sit down with queer Asian Americans to learn more about how they navigate finding love here in America. This episode, we chat with Johnathan Gibbs, aka blasianFMA about activism, biracial identities, model minority myths, our racial preferences, and so much more. Johnathan Gibbs, he/him/his also known as blasianFMA online, is a content creator, podcaster, activist, serial panelist, and bubble tea enthusiast. His work in activism began with his YouTube channel "blasainFMA" in 2008, in which he worked to bring awareness to multiracial issues surrounding the intersection of Black and Asian identity. He later enjoyed a 60 episode run of his first podcast "Edugaytion" which covered QPOC issues from the point of view of people from around the United States. He is now working on a newly launched podcast, "This QPOC Life" which is a spiritual successor to the Edugaytion series, re-imagined and ever evolving to be more sensitive to all marginalized communities. This episode, we cover:

• The story behind the name: blasianFMA
• Creating content in the early days of YouTube.
• How Johnathan got started in activism and creating safe spaces
• What was it like growing up biracial Asian and Black.
• How does both the Asian and Black community respond to biracial identities?
• Breaking down the model minority myth.
• Coming out after publishing a conservative article.
• Dating as a biracial Black and Asian man.
• Why racism is more than just our preferences.
• Thoughts on dating apps, objectification, and stereotypes.
• How does the work show up in dating?
• When activism and dating lives collide.

Resources:

• Brown Skin, White Minds: Filipino -/ American Postcolonial Psychology by E.J.R. David
• Brown Boys and Rice Queens: Spellbinding Performance in the Asias by Eng-Beng Lim

You can reach out to Johnathan via his Instagram @BlasianFMA. You can follow me at: Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi) YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi) Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)

For the month of February, we sit down with queer Asian Americans to learn more about how they navigate finding love here in America. This episode, we sit down with Robin Mele, a queer second-generation Taiwanese-American therapist in NYC and learn more about them navigating through their asexual, panromantic, and polyamorous identity. We talk about identities, stereotypes, dating apps, and so much more! Robin Mele (they/them/theirs) is a queer second-generation Taiwanese-American who currently works as a therapist on an inpatient psychiatric unit for adolescents at a public hospital in New York City. They have a master's degree in dance/movement therapy, and they have their yoga teaching certification. They currently identify as asexual, panromantic, and polyamorous. This episode, we cover:

• How Robin got started in their career working as a therapist.
• What is dance movement therapy?
• Growing up biracial white and Asian.
• How they discovered their asexual, panromantic, and polyamorous identity.
• Facing stereotypes with these identities.
• Why it's not about adding more labels and more understanding ourselves.
• Navigating being asexual, panromantic, and polyamorous within the Asian community.
• Thoughts on dating apps, inclusivity in the space, and superficiality
• How to navigate racial fetishism.
• Why timing is everything in love and relationships.

References from this Episode:

• Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVN)
• Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships by Tristan Taormino
• Lex Dating App
• The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

To get in contact with Robin, you can reach out to them Instagram @Robinks You can follow me at: Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi) YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi) Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)

For the month of February, we sit down with queer Asian Americans to learn more about how they navigate finding love here in America. This episode, we sit down with Rajiv Khanna, a gay second-generation Indian-American living in San Francisco. We talk about what it was like growing up as a gay Indian man, coming out, dating apps, combating prejudice and so much more. Rajiv Khanna (he/him/his) is a gay second-generation Indian-American living in San Francisco, CA. He is very involved in the South Asian community through volunteering and hosting cultural and queer events, and always loves a good Bollywood dance party! This episode we go over:

• Growing up as a gay Indian man in a school with only ten Asians
• Assimilating into US culture and navigating being Asian in America
• Coming out within Asian culture.
• Datings apps and how de-personalized they have become.
• How to navigate racial preferences and combatting prejudice.
• How we can be more inclusive of South Asians within the larger Asian community.

Resources:

• Asha for Education
• Parivar (Queer South Asian org)

You can reach Rajiv on Instagram @rajutheboy. You can follow me at:

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

For the month of February, we sit down with queer Asian Americans to learn more about how they navigate finding love here in America. This episode, we sit down with Derek Tran, a gay second-generation Vietnamese-American entrepreneur in LA and talk about growing up in LA, being a part of the gaysian LA scene, navigating social media and dating apps, and finding self-love through his spiritual and body transformation. 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. In this episode we talk about:

• How he got started with his businesses in LA.
• The story of his family moving from Vietnam and throughout Los Angeles county.
• Growing up as one of the only Vietnamese individuals in his hometown and trying to assimilate into American culture.
• Coming back home to his identity and finding his sense of cultural pride.
• Social media and its impact on our generation.
• Why there is an entire culture around shaming hookup app conversations.
• Why racial preference is just racism - from exclusion to fetishism.
• His journey through body transformation.
• What unsolicited advice say more about people than the advice itself.
• How Derek started to do the work to find love for himself.

References:

• The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
• The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World by Alan Downs
• Headspace App

You can reach out to Derek via Instagram @findyourfearless You can follow me at: Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi) YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi) Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)

Right now, we are in quite a precarious time. From the recent death of Kobe Bryant to hundreds of people dying from the Coronavirus all around the world, death is becoming more present than ever. For me, it's been a frequent visitor and teacher. I share some advice on what I learned from life, death, and lessons of impermanence. This episode I talk about:

• My experience with death
• Advice on if you are getting over a death
• How we continue on after death

• How to be more present
• Buddhism concept of impermanence (gross vs. subtle changes)
• Why is impermanence important
• Key insights from death that can help change our lives.

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

I'm back for 2020! I share with you my highs of 2019, favorite books I've read, lessons from my lows, and advice on how to create habits and New Year's resolutions that stick. I share a bit about how to practice self-love, compassion and how to address our egos. This episode I talk about:

• What were my highlights of 2019?
• What were my favorite books of 2019?
• What were my lows of 2019?
• Why do we use negative reinforcements to build habits?
• Why negative reinforcements don't work.
• How to build habits correctly.
• What is the biggest lesson I learned in 2019?
• How to practice self-love.
• What trick do I have to get me to go out when I feel shy.
• What is my 2020 mantra?
• Tips on how to set your New Year's resolutions

Check out my gaysian support group in NYC: Yellow Glitter Sparkles (February 2020) Favorite books:

• Mindfulness: Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Naht Hanh
• Human Psychology: Laws of Human Nature by Robert Green
• Love & Romance: Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix
• Work & Business: Principles by Ray Dalio
• Health: When the Body Says No by Gabor Mate
• Autobiographies:
• • When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
  • The Choice by Edith Eger
  • Know My Name by Chanel Miller
  • On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Setting New Year's resolutions:

1. Identify (Create your self affirmations "I am" and identify the small habits that help you achieve this affirmation)
2. Tracking (Score how you are tracking towards each resolution and measure from 0-1)
3. Adjusting (0-0.3: make it easier, 0.4-0.6: keep on going, 0.7-1: consider making it slightly more advanced)

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

Happy Thanksgiving! Though this day has quite questionable roots, many of us are spending time with those we love. For many Asians, this might mean returning home to our conservative Asian families. In this episode, I share with you something that is near and dear to my heart - forgiving our parents and caregivers. This episode I talk about:

• My story of finding forgiveness for my conservative family
• What unconditional love truly means.
• Why forgiveness isn't forgetting.
• An exercise on getting in-touch with our emotions.
• An exercise on addressing and validating our feelings
• Being grateful with unconditional love and forgiveness

Core Emotions: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/putting-some-emotion-into-your-design-plutchik-s-wheel-of-emotions You can follow me at: Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi) YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi) Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)