Social Issues / Sifu Mimi Chan

249. Yaya Han and Jinx on cosplay and Asian representation

In this episode, I chat with two incredible women: Yaya Han and Jinx Cosplay. I am in awe of their skills in sewing and crafting, but even more impressed with their compassion and advocacy.

Yaya and Jinx were generous to share their experiences with discrimination and racism. We discuss the issues surrounding anti-Asian hate crimes and how including AAPI history in our education system can be a solution. I am so grateful to both Yaya and Jinx for speaking out for the Asian American community.

245. Shelley Zalis on The Female Quotient and Gender Equality

Shelley Zalis is an internationally renowned thought leader, movement maker, and champion of equality. As the CEO of The Female Quotient, she works with Fortune 500 companies and impacts organizations to advance equality in the workplace.

I was shocked when I learned that it would take 99.5 years to eliminate global gender equality at the current rate of progress.
We discuss ways they are working to bridge the gap for gender pay equity and leadership roles.

244. Voices from the trans community

I was honored to have this Facebook live conversation with three incredible women to celebrate Pride month back in June.

Dr. Davis was a professor and administrator at universities in both Canada and the United States teaching biomechanics and anatomy. She is also a founding member of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles.
After attempting to transition in the early 1990s, Dr. Davis was forced to detransition having lost her job and in order to find work to support her children.
Dr. Davis made her final transition in 2015 having gender affirmation surgery in 2016 and has since lived as her authentic self.

238. Greg Rucka on the Fairness Doctrine, White Supremacy and Amazon

235. My thoughts on Amazon restricting my film, activism and AAPI History

AAPI Heritage month wrap-up episode plus an especially passionate rant! I discuss my frustration with Amazon Prime Video for restricting my film during AAPI Heritage Month and the omission of Asian American History from education in schools.

234. Representative Anna V. Eskamani on COVID-19, vaccines and voting rights

Florida Representative Anna V. Eskamani discusses covid19, Representative Matt Gaetz, gerrymandering in Florida, reelection, and the issues that lie ahead.

Representative Anna V. Eskamani is someone who I truly believe in. Whether she is leading a protest or advocating on the house floor, she is an inspiration. It was an honor to speak alongside Anna at a vigil for the victims of the Atlanta shooting.

233. Dr. Mark Cheng on Asian American culture

Dr. Mark Cheng is back on the podcast discussing the uniqueness of Asian American culture. He shares stories from his childhood and what it was like being an Asian American while working in Asia. We are both frustrated with the of rise anti-Asian hate crimes and focus on actions we can take. I urge everyone to listen and learn as we dissect various self-defense philosophies and tactics.

232. Human blindspots, biases and risk analysis

How do our preconceived thoughts affect our decision-making? Oscar Agramonte and I explore human blind spots, biases, and risk analysis. We have a candid conversation on the covid19 vaccine, politics, and ways to improve how we react to adverse information.

231. Juliette Kong on child abuse prevention month

As many of you know, I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and only began sharing my story a few years ago. I had the privilege of touring a local child advocacy center in Orlando called Kids House and interviewing the CEO Juliette Kong. Kids House is dedicated to preventing child abuse and helping child abuse victims and families by providing coordinated services in a safe, child-friendly environment from report and investigation through treatment and resolution.

230. The Sifu Mimi Chan Show

Welcome to the first episode of The Sifu Mimi Chan Show. Oscar and I discuss why the name change and what this means for the podcast.
We also catch up on what is in store for the future of the show and how it has evolved over the years.

227. Patti Brigham on voter suppression and equality

Patti Brigham is a grassroots leader and coalition builder, and the president of the League of Women Voters of Florida. In 2016, in the days following the mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Patti partnered with former LWVFL President Pam Goodman to form the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, which now includes more than 100 organizational partners.

226. Greg Rucka on the covid19 vaccine, racism and writing

As many of you know it has been a rough week for me. I’ve been speaking out about the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes on the news and at vigils honoring the victims of the mass shooting in Atlanta. It is always comforting to have conversations with Greg since we have podcasted almost weekly since the start of the pandemic.