aapi / Sifu Mimi Chan

300. Sifu Mimi Chan on Chinese Kung Fu Weapons: Stick

In this episode I discuss the history and philosophy behind one of the most ancient Chinese kung fu weapons, the stick or staff. If you decide to join me on YouTube, you’ll see some of the visuals that go along with the episode, but not to worry loyal podcast listeners, video is not necessary.

294. Jo Koy and Lydia Gaston on Easter Sunday Movie

I had the pleasure of speaking with stars Jo Koy and Lydia Gaston about their new film Easter Sunday opening on August 5th.

Jo stars as a struggling actor, comedian, and single father who returns home for an Easter celebration with his riotous, bickering, eating, laughing, and loving family, in this love letter to his Filipino-American community.

291. Sifu Mimi Chan on Chinese martial arts lineage and kung fu masters

Another solo podcast on lineage, kung fu masters and women in Chinese martial arts. I get a lot of questions regarding my expertise in kung fu and decided to answer them on my show. For those of you who do not do martial arts, the episode goes beyond just martial arts. Understanding our history and lineage is important for all of us and hopefully you will enjoy the listen!

286. AAPI MENTAL HEALTH: The high rate of suicide amongst AAPI college students

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Helen Hsu and Dr. Catherine Teotico about AAPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. We discuss the high rate of suicide amongst AAPI college students and how ways to raise awareness for mental health.

285. Sifu Mimi’s rant on mass shootings, Roe v. Wade, voter suppression and AAPI hate crimes

Disclaimer for this episode: You may be offended. You may not like what I have to say, but I need to say it. All the feelings that I am expressing are my own. They don’t represent any of the organizations I work for or with – these are MY thoughts and opinions.

284. Dr. Jeannie Celestial on AAPI Mental Health Awareness

Dr. Jeannie Celestial is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of a psychotherapy and consulting practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Jeannie integrates somatic, brain-based, and culturally-rooted approaches to treat trauma and facilitate radical holistic wellness, specializing in Filipinx and global majority communities.

May is AAPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month. We discuss ways to overcome the stigma regarding mental health and therapy. Dr. Jeannie also shares best practices for self-care amidst all of the ongoing anti-Asian hate crimes and gun violence.

Richard Sakurai Japanese Internment Camp

283. Best of AAPI Heritage Month: Richard Sakurai on life in a Japanese Internment Camp

As we honor AAPI Heritage Month there is one interview that I think everyone should hear. In 2017, I had the privilege of speaking with Richard Sakurai about his experience in a Japanese internment camp. At the time of the interview, he was 91 years old.

The internment of Japanese Americans in the United States during World War II was the forced relocation and incarceration in camps in the western interior of the country of people of Japanese ancestry, in which about 62 percent of the internees were United States citizens.

281. AAPI Heritage Month

It’s AAPI Heritage Month!
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month, I’d like to kick things off with a conversation about what this month means to me and how I intend to celebrate.

Instead of recording a solo podcast, I thought I’d have a chat with my favorite human, Oscar. We discuss the importance of AAPI heritage month and mental health awareness month.

276. Albert Tam on life in the United States Secret Service

It’s not every day you get the chance to speak with a United States Secret Service agent. Albert Tam recently retired from his twenty-five-year law enforcement career as the Supervisory Special Agent for the Secret Service’s Office of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs.

273. May Lee on broadcast journalism, activism and #stopasianhate

May Lee is an award-winning broadcast journalist, host of “The May Lee Show,” adjunct professor at USC, and founder of Lotus Media House who has been both a US-based and international anchor, host, correspondent, and producer.

It was a pleasure to speak to May as a fellow podcaster and AAPI activist. May has been very outspoken about the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes since the start of the pandemic and spotlighted many of the victims of these horrible events.

271. Dr. Mark Cheng on the Olympics and Olympic Athletes

I love the Olympics. I enjoy marveling at the athletes and cheering them on. In a world where there is so much negativity and frustration, the Olympics usually provide a moment of comfort and joy.

Unfortunately, I have been frustrated with the Russian Olympic Committee and the controversy surrounding figure skater Kamila Valieva. When I heard reports of her failing her drug test, I was frustrated. I’m not sure what the result of the competition will be by the time this is released, but as of the day this was recorded, she has been allowed to skate and is currently in the lead after the short program.

269. jason chu on hip hop and activism

Chinese American rapper jason chu is known for his high-energy live performances that blend introspective lyricism with crowd-moving passion. On a mission to “speak hope and healing in a broken world”, his songs and videos tell stories of youth, family, and history.

It was fascinating to learn how he blends his love for hip hop with activism. It was also inspiring to hear about his work with the community in organizations like Hate is a Virus and the Japanese American National Museum.