Katherine catches up with stand-up comedian, writer, and producer Pallavi Gunalan to talk about her leap of faith towards comedy. Originally studying to become a biomedical engineer, Pallavi got her first exposure into comedy through improv and quickly became obsessed with all of it. They talk about the parasocial relationship between a performer and its fan, typical beauty standards, and marrying comedy and politics with her show, City Counsel . You can follow all of Pallavi’s work here: https:...
Apr 25, 2023•45 min
Maria Kanaka Luna (she/her/they/them) was sentenced to prison in 1995 under a life sentence but released 23 years later. She talks about her new path in life, honoring and advocating for Pacific Islander rights while challenging some traditions that are within her community. She shares the years she lost with her own daughter and niece, but is now working to build those relationships. To learn more about Maria Kanaka Luna’s case, visit: https://www.change.org/p/pardon-kanaka This podcast uses th...
Feb 14, 2023•43 min
Nghiep Lam , a member of APSC (Asian Prisoner Support Committee), shares his story of reintegrating into civilian life after spending 20 years incarcerated. He reveals the inadequacies and troubles of the prisoner pipeline system. As a result, he now advocates for his community, committing to help other incarcerated API folks learn about their culture and history. To learn more about the APSC 4 Action Tool Kit, visit bit.ly/apsc . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis...
Jan 31, 2023•40 min
VH1 senior social media manager, producer, and Indo-Caribbean beauty influencer Sarita Nauth shares her journey of embracing her culture and trying to find belonging. As a beauty influencer, Sarita has navigated and had to break industry glass ceilings. Also, as someone who’s been in media and entertainment during pre-social media days, she talks about how it’s shifted and evolved when it comes to POC representation. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - ...
Jan 17, 2023•1 hr 4 min
Manufou Liaiga-Anoa'i is a celebrated Samoan activist, revolutionary leader and visionary whose representation as a courageous advocate and public elected has opened doors not just for her Pacific Islander people, but for many marginalized, voiceless communities. She shares her rise to public service and how philanthropy can be defined in various ways. Throughout her career, she blazed the path being the first Samoan Pacific Islander president at San Francisco’s Lowell High School and first Paci...
Jan 03, 2023•54 min
Van Huynh tells his story of being sentenced to prison for life and what it was like reintegrating to civilian life when he was given early release. Since then, he’s found API Rise , an organization that’s enabled him to give back to his community and find a greater purpose. Van now advocates for the formerly incarcerated and uses his experience to help others heal from past wounds. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy...
Dec 20, 2022•1 hr 5 min
Kirn Kim is a former Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate student and son of a prominent physician in California’s North Orange County Korean community. Kirn Kim fits the stereotypical mold assigned to many Asian-American teens. However, at the age of 16, Mr. Kim was tried as an adult and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison as part of a high-profile case that became known as the “Honor Roll Murder.” Mr. Kim earned parole in 2012 after serving 20 years. He has since spoken on is...
Dec 06, 2022•43 min
Bochan grew up singing in her father’s Cambodian American bands. From roots in rock to its current inception, the evolution that Bochan witnessed and joined is audible today in the ardent Cambodian music circuit. Honoring yet stepping bravely away from traditional style, she ushers in a new musical age. Her single “Chnam Oun 16” (or, “I am 16”), featuring Raashan Ahmad from Crown City Rockers, shakes up convention by remaking the classic Cambodian rock anthem about women coming of age. The new v...
Nov 22, 2022•1 hr
Sun Luu is a poet, performer, filmmaker, and a true multidisciplinary artist. Through conversational humor and introspective reflection, his work explores his Chinese and Vietnamese heritage, intergenerational trauma, mental health, and the practice of self-love. His work has been featured on platforms such as All Def Poetry, SlamFind, KCET, The Hollywood Reporter, and most importantly, his mother's heart. You can follow Sun Luu on IG: https://www.instagram.com/sunluuofficial/ This podcast uses ...
Nov 09, 2022•43 min
Nicki Sun is an on-camera personality/influencer, and freelance producer, director, cinematographer, content strategist, editor, and educator passionate about amplifying marginalized voices both in front and behind the camera. She is the creator and host of “Now You Know,” a talk show spotlighting key celebrities and leaders within the API community and TechNicki Speaking, a tech channel dedicated to empowering content creators and spotlighting women and BIPOC creators, which also live streams e...
Oct 11, 2022•49 min
Kristina Wong is a performance artist, comedian, writer, elected representative, and Pulitzer Prize nominee who has been presented internationally across North America, the UK, Hong Kong and Africa. Kristina talks about the wave of anti-asian hate crimes and starting the Auntie Sewing Squad, a national network of volunteers sewing masks for vulnerable communities. As successful as the group was, she points to the issues with the country’s infrastructure that shouldn’t require Auntie Sewing Squad...
Sep 27, 2022•47 min
Lowhi (fka Leo Xia) is a Los Angeles-based alt-R&B/Lo-fi artist whose vulnerable vocals and storytelling lyricism have been compared to Shiloh Dynasty, Daniel Caesar and Keshi. Growing up between Beijing and the Bay Area, Lowhi talks about his bicultural existence to life through music, mixing Mandarin and English vocals in his tracks. Lowhi shares his downward spiral when the pandemic canceled many of his projects. During that time, it forced him to persevere and redefine his self-worth. Th...
Sep 13, 2022•40 min
Mona Fakhry (she/her) is a psychotherapist-in-training, an Afghan in so-called Canada, a wellness educator and coach. Nurturing Afghan & SWANA/BIPOC mental health and wellness from a decolonized/culturally responsive framework are topics she is passionate about. She strives to collaborate with various platforms aligned with this work to amplify these conversations. You can follow Mona’s work on Instagram: @mindfully_mona This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Char...
Aug 30, 2022•51 min
Kapulei Flores ( @kapuleifloress ) is a Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) photographer from the Moku ʻo Keawe, also known as Hawaiʻi Island. They strive to use photography as a tool with activism and perpetuating the culture of Hawaiʻi. Kapulei, along with her family, has been involved with the Protect Mauna Kea Movement for 10+ years which has allowed her to document the journey of the movement along with other frontlines around the world. Her photographs from the 2019 Mauna Kea frontline stance h...
Aug 16, 2022•57 min
Having garnered a sizable presence on social media ( @ryanalexh ), Ryan uses comedic storytelling and poignant writings about family’s perseverance to represent his mixed Chinese/African American background. His goal is to encourage others who are of mixed ethnic/cultural backgrounds to fully embrace who they are and to show the world there is unimaginable strength in discovering harmony in multiculturalism. He is a proud alumni of both UC Berkeley (undergrad), and USC (masters). He is an Actor ...
Aug 16, 2022•49 min
Welcome to Real Talk: Unfiltered, where we dive deep into the experiences of trusted leaders in our community. Our show gets real about issues facing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, to add context to tough topics and to make the political -- personal. We're excited for you to join us on this journey to learn from people from all backgrounds and identities. Learn more at hateisavirus.org For sponsorship opportunities, contact tristan@hateisavirus.org For general inquiries, contact hello@ha...
Aug 04, 2022•9 min
