Casey Yeoh / KC YO is of Malaysian and Singaporean-Chinese descent, she’s a multidisciplinary creative - a graphic designer, photographer, director, editor and cinematographer. She also has creative and personal ties to the awesome musical duo Imugi. If you’re familiar with Imugi, then chances are that you’ve seen her work. This is a fun episode where we talk about dreaming and work, and we also talk about family stuff, spiritual stuff, fan fiction stuff, personal development-stuff - the works! ...
Oct 06, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Steven is a multidisciplinary artist of Korean descent, based in Ōtautahi. He creates work under the label 6x4. Usually, I ask guests about how they’re comfortable being introduced on here, and when I asked Steven, he said I’m welcome to call him a speck of dust floating through an uncaring void. In this convo, we discuss labels and talk about the difference between clothing and fashion, the relationship between clothing and spirituality, the visible and invisible, feeling and not feeling. If yo...
Aug 21, 2022•57 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Miki is a 30-year-old, talented artist and illustrator. She’s an Aries, she’s New Zealand Japanese Albanian and has recently started saying yes to things that she might’ve previously avoided. Hence, she’s here. So in this episode, we talk about all of that, her work and body stuff too. FOLLOW https://www.instagram.com/mikip.art/ SUPPORT Asian in Aotearoa: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa @asianinaotearoa | asianinaotearoa.com ___ ABOUT THE PODCAST Hosted by Jenna Wee, Asian in Aotearoa (New Zea...
Aug 14, 2022•35 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Sam is back to chat about winning MasterChef and his journey since he was last here. We talk about the show, food politics, identity, spirituality, self-growth, the cookbook he’s working on, community and more. Sam is a 30-year-old Fiji-born Chinese-Kiwi, a food and flavour creative/expert, a coffee pro, an indie-movie lover, an extremely good gift-giver, an Aquarius with strong Capricorn placements and incredible skin, who also happens to be a close friend of mine. He is also single. ;) Follow ...
Jul 26, 2022•51 min•Season 1Ep. 29
For some context, in partnership with my friends at Where the Asians At?!, comes ASIAN(SOUND)SCAPES - a free event that’s showcasing the best pan-Asian-kiwi local talent around and it’s happening at Potters Park in Auckland on July 2nd and 3rd. Expect cultural celebration, music, dance battles, poetry AND Tai Chi… … which is where my father, Charles, comes in. Dad is Malaysian-Chinese and Melanau and starting with Tae Kwon Do, he and his friends were among the first to teach the art in Auckland ...
Jun 27, 2022•37 min
Amita is South African Indian, a fat, plant-based, cooking enthusiast, creative and digital marketer. This episode is NSFW. Trigger warning: eating disorders, dieting, fatphobia/anti-fatness are discussed. If you are offended or feel a bit funny about conversations surrounding: pleasure, sex, being fat, periods, masturbation, orgasms, vaginas - you might want to skip this one. IF you are my parent, family member, or know me in a professional or work capacity, do us both a favour and wait until t...
Jun 19, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Cindy is Kiwi Malaysian Chinese, a painter, photographer and a curious student of life. Her interests lie in abstract art, philosophy, nature, meditation and self-growth. Here we talk about Cindy’s vipassana experience, our Asian parents and their expectations, as well as potentially having or not having kids - as women in our 30s currently without them… and more! Cindy-leong.com / @cindyleong__ ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa 👉 FOLLOW @asianinaotearoa on Instagram asi...
May 26, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Jane is a Fiji-Chinese-Pākehā New Zealander, a theatre director, maker, dramaturg and creator, an arts politics nerd, policy and strategy writer. I ask Jane about her academic, arts and work background as well as some personal stuff and just generally what’s going on for her right now including being pregnant and directing Scenes from a Yellow Peril - which is a show you must go to in June/July this year if you’re in Auckland. We also talk about systemic stuff, boundaries, overworking, being afr...
May 03, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Balamohan is Tangata Tiriti, a New Zealander from the Deccan region of India. Trained in Western philosophy, contemporary visual arts, and Hindustani music, he currently works in communication research at CARE, Massey University. In this longest episode to date, we talk about political ideology, disinformation, identity, community, resistance and romance (and a whole lot more). 👉 @balamohanshingade ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa FOLLOW @asianinaotearoa on Instagram VI...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Yery is an Aquarius, a writer, singer, dreamer, and is of course one-half of the musical duo Imugi 이무기. We talk about the music industry, mental health, spirituality - the experience of it and the neoliberal commodification of it, community, our teen heart-throbs, and so much more. Listen to the new Imugi EP HERE . @yeriyaki__ @_imugi_ ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa FOLLOW @asianinaotearoa on IG VISIT asianinaotearoa.com ___ ABOUT THE PODCAST Hosted by Jenna Wee, Asian...
Mar 20, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Karen is a Japanese photographer, gamer, and TikTok scroller born and raised in New Zealand. Originally, Karen and I were meant to record last year but then we went into lockdown. Back then she had broken up with her boyfriend but they’re back together, so of course, I asked about that. This convo ranges from talking about growing up with shame and feeling unlovable to thirsting over fictional characters and more. Follow: @karenishigurophoto Check out http://www.karenishiguro.com/ ☕️ SUPPORT the...
Feb 27, 2022•57 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Elina is originally from Kazakhstan and is the co-founder of the content platform Storyo. She also works in service and design and is deeply invested in diversity and equity work along with storytelling. We chat about her coming to New Zealand as a teen, Elina’s inner critic and internal stuff, family stuff, as well as systems, leadership, work and more. Follow @elyaelina @storyo.co Check out https://www.storyo.co.nz/ ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa FOLLOW @asianinaotea...
Jan 19, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Kaya is Aotearoa-born Japanese, with a connection to the sea, snow and sun. A lover of cannabis and communication, she's the host of Bellas who Blaze - a podcast focused on demystifying and destigmatising cannabis for women and wellness. We speak about cannabis (obviously) and we talk about our own experience as well as Kaya’s work. We also chat about spirituality, weed clarity, intuition, racism, body stuff and more. Follow @bellaswhoblaze @kaya.blooms on IG Listen to Kaya’s podcast on Spotify ...
Dec 02, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 21
To mark and celebrate 1 YEAR of uncensored conversations with Asian creatives, this special mini episode features a round up of snippets and all 19 guests to date. THANK YOU for listening and of course, a huge thanks to all guests so far. In order of appearance: Amanda Grace Leo Tanya Barlow Abhi Chinniah Gemishka Chetty Helen Yeung Gwendolyn Lin Aiwa Pooamorn Sam Low Jem Yoshioka Geoff Ong Grace Ko Marc Conaco Hazel Xu Alyssa Medel Shana Graham Nathan Joe Marwin Silerio Sarita Das Kishan the Ji...
Nov 08, 2021•23 min
Kishan the Jinn is an independent South Asian artist and producer, born and raised in Aotearoa. Self-taught in his art, his music captures the core elements of R&B and hip-hop, created while wearing his culture without shame. In this episode, you’ll hear about his recently released debut album (listen below), his relationship to music, heritage and just more about him. Follow Kishan: @kishanthejinn Listen to the album Suno on Spotify HERE . FOLLOW @asianinaotearoa on Instagram VISIT asianina...
Oct 13, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Sarita Das is a Bangaladeshi-Pākehā queer, gender diverse Somatic Sex Educator who dabbles in art occasionally and looks forward to it being warm again so they can swim in the moana. We recorded this convo before lockdown and Sarita shares about their background, tough conversations, consent, art, sex and at around the 25-minute mark Sarita guides a little somatic practice, which I highly recommend you participate in. See what happens! Follow Sarita: @roti.gurl @somaticsarita @bodyhausnz ___ See...
Sep 01, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Marwin is a Filipino-born, New Zealand-raised, Creative and Personal Trainer living in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. He enjoys asking himself the hard questions and didn’t shy away from any of mine. The following is what happens when two Cancers record during Cancer season - we talk about boundaries, shame, fear of rejection, self-compassion, and some cool stuff Marwin is working on. LINKS Follow Marwin: https://instagram.com/marwinsilerio Attend Marwin’s health & self-development event HERE . ...
Aug 01, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Nathan Joe is a Christchurch born Chinese-Kiwi, an award-winning playwright and performance poet. He is the curator of DIRTY PASSPORTS and the director of upcoming play YANG/YOUNG/杨 (23-30 July at Basement Theatre). Nathan shares about his creative journey, expression of identity and labels, taking up space, relationships, romance, and what’s on the horizon for him. Follow Nathan: https://instagram.com/yellowperilproductions ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa FOLLOW @asian...
Jul 15, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Shana AKA Valere, is a Filipino songwriter, producer, soon-to-be-mother based in Kirikiroa, Hamilton. Her music blends soul and synths and she’s currently touring. This was a really fun chat. Shana shares about her journey to New Zealand, her music, her creativity, fear, family and more @valeremusic ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa FOLLOW @asianinaotearoa on Instagram VISIT asianinaotearoa.com ___ ABOUT THE PODCAST Hosted by Jenna Wee, Asian in Aotearoa (New Zealand) exp...
Jul 02, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Alyssa is a Filipino-New Zealander filmmaker and theatremaker who is dedicated to telling stories that bring marginalised voices to the forefront and inspire social change. She shares about her work, the fear of failure, self-tending, marriage, success, and her post-grad study which, since recording, Alyssa has actually pressed pause on - but I’ve kept our chat about this in because a) it’s interesting and relevant and b) because it’s totally ok to change your mind sometimes! @yssamdl WATCH Thre...
Jun 09, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Hazel (榛) is an artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau. They use their skills in makeup, spfx and body art to creatively direct and tell stories. In this uncensored convo, Hazel shares about growing up in China as a nonbinary child, healing, self-expression, creating art and friendships. Their show “Now You See Me” is a photography story not to be missed: an immigrant only-child, finding their place in the world, thriving in their creative energy and living their truth - all while healing from intergen...
May 22, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Marc is a queer Bisaya graphic designer, illustrator, zine maker and amateur farmer currently based in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland and is on an ongoing journey of decolonisation and indigenisation. In this uncensored convo, Marc discusses his journey exploring the precolonial culture and heritage of the Bisaya region, his creative work, family, ancestors/being a good ancestor, spirituality, racism, and more. @marcconaco ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa FOLLOW @asianinaotear...
May 06, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Grace Ko is Taiwanese-Chinese, in her 20s and enjoying the world through dancing, conversing, thinking really hard, barely thinking at all, making jewellery, painting, playing the piano, and finding joy and connection in her community. We talk about breakups, self-reflection and discovery, friendships, social norms and pressure, family and more. Note: there’s mention of racial violence when Grace speaks about her family’s experience here - so I invite you to check in with how you’re feeling and ...
Apr 15, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Geoff Ong is a Malaysian-Chinese singer/songwriter, producer, photographer, videographer, and giant nerd, based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. In this episode, we talk about Geoff’s background, him getting a scholarship to go to Berklee, synchronicity, the music industry, being open to opportunity and more. @geofffong / geoffong.com ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa FOLLOW @asianinaotearoa on IG VISIT asianinaotearoa.com ___ ABOUT THE PODCAST Asian in Aotearoa (New Zealand...
Mar 25, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Jem is a Japanese New Zealander creating comics that tell stories about identity, place and the powerful ways we connect to one another. Jem and I are connected in how our grandmothers were nuclear bomb survivors and moved to New Zealand. We caught up for the first time over Zoom and Jem shares about her family, heritage and privilege, as well as her creative work. @ jemyoshioka / Circuits & Veins on webtoons ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa FOLLOW @asianinaotearoa o...
Mar 07, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Recorded in front of a live audience at yölkfest (a cool, inspiring Pan-Asian creative event), I invited Amanda Grace Leo from episode 1 back to continue our uncensored conversation. Amanda is Kiwi Singaporean, Peranakan-Chinese, an actor, jazz singer, face painter and friend - who is also writing New Zealand’s first Asian cabaret. We talk about: Body-stuff. Pleasure. Representation. Being visible. Friendships. Saying no. Big Ang Pow Energy! Thank you Gwen & Alyssa from yölk for having us, a...
Feb 21, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Sam is a Chinese-Kiwi who grew up literally in a noodle factory in Fiji. He’s one of the top coffee pros in the world, a Chinese gastronomy enthusiast and if you’re into food and coffee, you’re probably already following him on Instagram (or you should be anyway). In this convo, we talk about Sam’s background and his passions, along with body image, tattoos, dating and more. @_sam_low_ ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa 👉 FOLLOW @asianinaotearoa on Instagram asianinaotear...
Feb 02, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Aiwa is a Thai-Chinese mother, writer, theatre-maker, performer and poet based in Auckland. With Gemishka Chetty (featured a few episodes back!), Aiwa co-created Creative Creatures, an arts collective featuring Asian women. We discuss Aiwa’s background, Tinder, poetry, family and life. @creativecreature_s / @mama_aiwa ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa 👉 FOLLOW @asianinaotearoa on Instagram asianinaotearoa.com ___ ABOUT THE PODCAST Hosted by Jenna Wee, Asian in Aotearoa (...
Jan 13, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Gwen is a Chinese-New Zealander, creative producer, director, and story-listener. A participant in Helen Yeung’s Asian Feminist Project, we met in person at an Asians Supporting Tino Rangatiratanga workshop. We talk about racism (⚠️ CW/TW), being unapologetic, finding your voice through storytelling, serendipitous connection and Gwen’s creative work including yölk . Listen to Gwen & Alyssa’s podcast here ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa 👉 FOLLOW @asianinaotearoa on ...
Dec 20, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Helen is a Hong Kong-Chinese researcher, community organiser, zine-maker, illustrator, plant auntie, lover of noodles and a bit of everything else. We talk about Helen’s research work (including Asian Feminist Project Aotearoa), Migrant Zine Collective , Asian-New Zealand identity and “fitting in”, love, activism, academia and more. ☕️ SUPPORT the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/asianinaotearoa 👉 FOLLOW @asianinaotearoa on Instagram asianinaotearoa.com ___ ABOUT THE PODCAST Hosted by Jenna Wee, Asia...
Dec 10, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 5
