Sophia Vuelo is a judge for the Second Judicial District in Ramsey County, MN. She talks with Yia and David about her legal career and the process of becoming a judge in Minnesota. They discuss her appointment in light of being the first Hmong-American judge in Minnesota, Sophia shares the career and life advice she gives to young people she mentors, and Yia and David ask about the human side of weighing such difficult and complex cases. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Va...
Nov 30, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this week's bonus episode, Yia and David talk about their Thanksgiving traditions, and how things have changed this year as a result of the pandemic. They then discuss the state of Minnesota's new COVID regulations and how it affects small businesses and independent restaurants particularly. They wrap up by sharing 5 recommendations for takeout in Minneapolis for those looking to support local restaurants. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb . For more...
Nov 27, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Tim Niver is an award-winning restaurateur who owns and operates Saint Dinette and Mucci's Italian in St. Paul and Trattoria Mucci in Minneapolis. He shares his story in the restaurant industry with Yia and David, and they discuss at length the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on independent restaurants. They ask what the restaurant industry will look like on the other side of the pandemic, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Va...
Nov 23, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 21
After talking about the new COVID restrictions in Minnesota, their mutual love of Pixar movies, and the shows they're watching Yia and David discuss the cultural appropriation of food (beginning at 22:15). They examine in depth the dynamics involved when someone attempts to profit off making food outside their culture. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb . For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com....
Nov 16, 2020•58 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Rob Bathe is the founder of Folly Coffee Roasters in the Twin Cities. He tells the story of how he got into the coffee world, explains all things coffee to Yia and David, and shares wisdom on starting a business that aligns with your life purpose. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb . For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com....
Nov 02, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Dr. Katie Luber is the Nivin and Duncan MacMillan Director and President of the Minneapolis Institute of Art . Katie shares her story of growing up in Texas, studying art history, starting and selling a business, and what drew her to Minneapolis. Yia and David talk talk with her about the relationship of food and art and the stories they tell about people and cultures. They chat about spices, fried chicken, art acquisitions, favorite restaurants, and leading a museum through a pandemic. The Whit...
Oct 26, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Ben Spangler and Gabriella Grant are the founders and owners of Bebe Zito a new handmade, chef-driven ice cream shop in Minneapolis. Ben and Gabriella share the story and vision behind Bebe Zito, and some of the challenges and opportunities they've faced along the way. The group does a deep dive into how they create their incredibly delicious flavor combinations, and we learn about their journey starting and launching a successful business during a global pandemic. The White on Rice podcast is h...
Oct 19, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 17
On this special unedited episode of the podcast, Yia’s long-time friend Erica Ellenwood, the assistant district attorney for the city of Hudson, WI, comes on the show with her colleague Sergeant Todd Pearson of the Hudson, Police Department. They talk about mass incarceration, systemic racism, and the murder of George Floyd. Yia and David ask them about their perspective on the calls to defund the police, and the challenges and opportunities around police reform. The White on Rice podcast is hos...
Oct 12, 2020•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Tony Sanneh is a retired American soccer player and the founder and CEO of the Sanneh Foundation . Tony talks about his long soccer career, the experience of playing in the World Cup, and some of the lessons he learned along the way. Yia and David ask him about his vision for kids education and community development, and they talk about the work of the Sanneh Foundation in the Twin Cities and beyond. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb . For more informat...
Oct 05, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Sarah Edwards is the founder of Some Great People , brand activator, event planner, fashionista, and the Kevin Bacon of Minneapolis. She tells Yia and David about starting her own business and the lessons she’s learned along the way. They discuss social media and mental health, the role of an “influencer,” and the keys to putting on a successful event. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb . For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com....
Sep 28, 2020•58 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Mitra Jalali represents Ward 4 on the St. Paul City Council. She tells Yia and David about how she came into politics, her vision for the future of St. Paul, and her experience growing up the daughter of immigrants. They talk about Korean and Iranian food, and how food intersects with culture and identity. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb . For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com....
Sep 21, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Tom Weber is an award-winning journalist, the Second Gentleman of Minnesota (he's married to the Lt. Governor), and author of the book Minneapolis: An Urban Biography. Yia and David talk with Tom about all things Minneapolis. They discuss George Floyd's murder, the history of the Minneapolis police department, racial discrimination in housing covenants, the Minneapolis/St. Paul rivalry, the role of immigrants and refugees in the cities history, and much more. Tom gives a crash course for politic...
Sep 14, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this wide-ranging, unedited conversation, Yia and David discuss their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. They talk about how to get through hard times, dating during COVID, the importance of community, shows they're watching, starting a restaurant during a pandemic, and the start of NFL football. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb. For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com....
Sep 11, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Laura Zabel is the Executive Director of Springboard for the Arts , and was named on of the 50 most influential people in nonprofit arts in the U.S. She shares about her work with artists in Minnesota, her assessment of the arts scene in the Twin Cities, and how COVID is changing the world of artists. Yia and David ask her about art as activism, and how art can shape and heal a community. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb. For more information, please v...
Sep 08, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Yia and David talk about what podcasts they've been listening to lately, and then share ten restaurants they enjoy visiting in St. Paul. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb. For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com.
Sep 04, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Maria Regan Gonzales is the mayor of Richfield, MN and the first Latina mayor ever elected in Minnesota. She shares her story growing up in the two worlds of the Midwest and Mexico, how she got into politics, and her belief in the impact of local government. Yia and David ask her about her about Richfield, favorite restaurants, Beyonce, and her advice to young leaders. Maria talks about her work at the intersection of civic leadership, spirituality, and cultural identity. The White on Rice podca...
Aug 31, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Yia and David talk with Erik Eastman , founder of Easy & Company. They hear Erik's story of going from a corporate job to working with Minnesota Ice, they discuss all things cocktails, and Erik gives recommendations for what drinks to get where around the Twin Cities. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb. For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com....
Aug 24, 2020•53 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Yia and David talk about Yia's recent experience applying for U.S. citizenship. They talk about some of the weird questions on the application, the importance of voting and why so many people don't vote, and David takes Yia's citizenship quiz. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb. For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com.
Aug 21, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Yia and David talk with Gia Vang , an anchor of KARE 11’s morning show “ Sunrise .” We learn Gia’s story, the group talks about their impressions of MN Nice as transplants, and they discuss how diversity and segregation co-exist in our cities. Yia and Gia talk Hmong culture, and we wrap everything up with a discussion of "fake news." The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb. For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com....
Aug 17, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 5
For decades the star chef has been at the center of the restaurant often leading to both incredible creativity and tremendous toxicity. In this episode, Yia and David discuss the recent New York Times piece by Tejai Rao-- "Twilight of the Imperial Chef" highlighting the problems prevalent in so many kitchens, while also discussing possible solutions for making the restaurant industry a healthier place for everyone. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb. For...
Aug 14, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Yia and David sit down with Paul Buttenhoff (IG: @bothrops1 ), Minnesota's most interesting man. Their rousing conversation covers fashion, food, how families leaves a legacy, what Paul thinks of the word "influencer," as well as the last couple months in Minneapolis. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb. For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com....
Aug 10, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 3
After sharing what shows they're binge watching, Yia and David reflect on life in Minneapolis after the murder of George Floyd. They discuss race relations, listening and empathy, and how change happens. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb. For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com.
Aug 07, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In this inaugural episode Yia and David (1) share their vision for this podcast and what you can expect each week, (2) share a list of ten of their go-to places for food in Minneapolis, and (3) ask each other quick-fire questions. The White on Rice podcast is hosted and produced by Yia Vang and David Crabb. For more information, please visit us at whiteonricepodcast.com.
Aug 02, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 1
