Podcast / Sifu Mimi Chan

49. Toan Lam on finding your unique power to inspire

Today I had the pleasure of talking with Toan Lam. He is currently the host of the “Truth Dare” podcast, which is a series of intimate conversations with “bad asses” who have found their true calling, are using it to serve others and daring listeners to find their truth. He is also a motivational speaker, university instructor, and founder of the nonprofit, Go Inspire Go (GIG), a multimedia platform that highlights everyday heroes to inspire the hero in each of us. These stories have appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” CNN, Disney and Hallmark Channels and Yahoo. Toan also shares his immigrant story and the challenges he faced in bringing to fruition his version of the American Dream. I am truly inspired by his accomplishments and admire the work he has done through his nonprofit Go Inspire Go and urge everyone to check it out. I am grateful I had the opportunity to chat with him, and know you will find his energy and positivity as contagious as I did.

48. Oscar Agramonte on health and fitness

How can you stick to your New Year resolutions? Should we make resolutions, or are we just setting ourselves up for failure? Oscar Agramonte of Control Your Health discusses the common pitfalls of setting resolutions and how we can avoid them. We talk nutrition, exercise, and mindset to start you off in the right physical and mental state for 2018.

47. How I dealt with a burglar questions

Hi Everyone! I can’t believe we are at the end of 2017. I had planned to discuss my holiday wish list and my wishes for all of you during this episode, but it ended up becoming a safety episode after my recent encounter with a burglar. I am fortunate to have survived this horrible incident, but by request was asked to share in more detail from what I explained in my BLOG. Oscar was gracious enough to conduct the interview. We will be taking a week off for the holidays and will resume on January 2 with a New Year resolution episode, so keep listening and sharing my podcast. My Christmas wish is for you to please become a true Patron of the show and support me on Patreon.

46. Brian Caldwell on Star Wars fandom

May the Force Be With You. A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away…well, actually it was Kansas. Brian Caldwell stepped into the theater for A New Hope for the first time and was hooked.

45. Andy Rowen on Christopher Columbus through the eyes of the Taíno people

When you were in school did you learn in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue? That’s what I recall from history class. Christopher Columbus has been widely celebrated and honored in the US, and even has his own holiday. However, many historical facts have emerged over the years, that have caused controversies with honoring Columbus. Today I chat with author Andy Rowen, author of the historical fiction, Encounters Unforeseen: 1492 Retold, which dramatizes the history of Columbus’s epic voyage and first encounters with Native Americans from a bicultural perspective.

44. Richard Sakurai in a Japanese Camp

43. Emmy award winning journalist Fred Francis on fake news vs shallow reporting

Is it fake news? No, it’s shallow reporting according to Fred Francis. Fred is a Two-time Emmy award winning broadcast journalist that has over 46 years of experience in the communications industry. He retired as a senior correspondent after 30 years at NBC News with a longstanding expertise in national and international security. We have an interesting conversation about the evolution of journalism and how we as consumers need to do our due diligence and seek out information. Fred sheds light on the ins and outs of the news world and why it has changed so drastically in the past 10 years. He also shares some of his fascinating stories of investigative reporting from Miami crime in the 1960’s to working at the Pentagon through the Gulf war. We couldn’t chat about news and not mention the current day issues of deciphering fact from false information and how this administration treats the media.

42. Timothy Johnson on the Vietnam War

In honor of Veterans Day, I sit down to talk to Private First-Class Timothy Johnson, a military cook and paratrooper who served in the Vietnam War. I recently returned from Normandy, where I visited the D-Day beaches and landing sight of paratroopers in WWII like, Major Dick Winters from Band of Brothers. The visit to the Normandy American cemetery left me awestruck. As I walked the grounds of the park, I truly felt proud to be an American. I have the deepest respect for those that selflessly serve this country in the military. It is a sacrifice, that I do not believe I am strong enough to make, and I am grateful for their service. I admittedly have not been as active in outreach for Veterans as I should be, and after speaking with Tim, realize this is another social issue that needs attention.

41. Dave Nguyen on adoption, Operation Baby Lift, and reunions in Vietnam

In 1975, the mass evacuation of children from South Vietnam to the United States and other countries at the end of the Vietnam War was named Operation Babylift. Thousands of children were evacuated during that time, and today I speak with one of those evacuees, Dave Nguyen. Dave was adopted at the age of three by an American family and now has a family of his own. In 2010, Dave set out on a journey to discover his heritage and find his birth parents. He shares his compelling story of his return to Vietnam, visiting his birth place, and reuniting with his birth mother. Through this emotional journey, Dave discovers his own identity, and is now on a mission to find more answers about his past. I love learning from others, and in this chat, I enjoyed hearing Dave’s story of his adoption, reunions, and self-discovery and learning about Operation Babylift.

40. Margaret Suzy Wong Chan: Breast Cancer survivor on tai chi and Jamaican culture

I’m wrapping up breast cancer awareness month with a very special interview… my mom! Margaret Suzy Wong Chan joins me on the podcast today, and it is also her 70th birthday! Happy birthday Mom! We discuss her experience with breast cancer, and her healing process. My mom did not opt for chemotherapy, but instead healed with her strong spirit and practiced ancient art form of tai chi chuan. We of course do not recommend this for everyone, but listen on to hear survival story. We also go back in time and discuss her music career in Jamaica that carried over to the US. I love hearing about her life as a singer on the road, and she shares some fun stories of her adventures.

39. Derek Johnson on law enforcement

Sifu Derek Johnson is a kung fu instructor of the Jow Ga system, former marine, and retired law enforcement officer. For over 25 years, he served in numerous law enforcement specialties. He was assigned to many agencies in Washington D.C. and Baltimore, such as: violent crimes, undercover narcotics, community outreach, leadership as a Patrol Commander, internal affairs, and worked with the DEA and FBI departments. I have been outraged for the families that have lost loved ones to senseless shootings, and wonder why is this happening? Do officers need more training or stricter screening and guidelines? What is the problem? Derek sheds light on the training many law enforcement officers receive and what can be going through their minds in these high stakes situations. He also shares my frustration, and speaks openly as both a black American and a law enforcement officer on the Black Lives Matter movement. I strongly believe in the movement and was grateful that Derek was so open with me on this sensitive subject. I also wanted to understand the protocol for officers in aggressive situations, and what we can do to help change the perception of law enforcement officers in the community.

38.Robin Maynard on breast cancer awareness

In honor of Pink October, I am interview amazing breast cancer awareness advocates and survivors. Robin Maynard has served the citizens of Orange County as a Paramedic and Crime Scene Investigator since 1995. After the loss of her Mom Libby to breast cancer in 2006, Robin knew saving lives would take on a whole new path and with that, Libby’s Legacy was formed in 2007. Robin worked full time as a CSI while running the foundation until 2009 when she cashed in her 401K and left her career to dedicate herself to this foundation in her Mother’s honor and memory. Robin is a passionate advocate who is committed to ensuring every woman gets the breast health care and treatment they need to live a long and full life. I enjoyed meeting Robin and truly believe in the work she is doing. I am inspired after listening to Robin’s story and motivated by her passion and devotion to the cause.