florida / Sifu Mimi Chan

[ICYMI] 110: Most common kung fu questions

117. Chief Rolón on City of Orlando, immigration and community

My guest today is Chief Rolón. My father, Grandmaster Chan, was also excited to host him at the Wah Lum Temple and Culture Center. It was his first visit to our location, and we were honored to share a part of our history and culture with him.

106. Happy Earth Day! Patrick Rose on climate change and manatees

Happy Earth Day! Today I speak with aquatic biologist Pat Rose about the environment, climate change, and manatees! Pat is the executive director of Save the Manatee Club – their mission is to protect manatees and their aquatic habitat for future generations.

103. Anna Eskamani on Planned Parenthood and affordable housing in Florida

Representative Anna V. Eskamani is an Orlando native and daughter of Iranian immigrants. the first Iranian-American to serve in the Florida Legislature. She has been a lifelong community builder and was elected to serve the great people of Florida State House District 47 on November 6, 2018.

Chinese New Year: Performing kung fu at 40+

This year, I decided to ‘come out of retirement’. O and I have been hosting Forty Fit-fu on Facebook Live each week, so we wanted to show everyone you can still attempt to perform at 40+.

97. Happy Chinese New Year of the Pig!

What does New Year mean to you? As I wrote in previous blogs, the New Year doesn’t start for me until Chinese New Year. Chinese, or Lunar New Year, is always filled with firecrackers, loud drums, kung fu, and lion dancing.

94. Jules De Jesus Fritz, celebrity makeup artist on positivity

Today I chat with Jules De Jesus Fritz about her journey of becoming a celebrity makeup artist to discovering her inner calling of helping others. She has worked with celebrities like Paula Dean, and developed her own line of makeup. Overcoming life threatening health issues, her story will inspire you to stay positive and dare to dream. While Jules is still involved in her makeup business, she now has found a calling in public speaking and inspiring others who need to find their inner strength and peace.

91. Tommy Tam on murals and graffiti street art

Tommy Tam is an incredible muralist that has been painting the wall at the Wah Lum Temple. We have named it “The Great Wall of Wah Lum”. He is incredibly talented and chooses the tool of spray can over paintbrush. We chat all about graffiti, street art, and murals.

82. Jeff Prystajko on Come Out With Pride Orlando

Jeff Prystajko is a highly engaged member of both Orlando’s tech and LGBTQ nonprofit communities. As the current board president and former director of marketing for Come Out With Pride Orlando, one of the largest annual pride celebrations in Florida, Jeff leads a volunteer-based team to organize and execute the biggest single-day parade and festival in the city. He is passionate about giving back to the community as well as encouraging activism in others.

73. Sheriff Jerry Demings on his vision as Orange County Mayor

Today I talk with Sheriff Jerry Demings on his vision for Orlando as he runs for Orange County Mayor. I appreciated his thoughts on immigration, diversity, sustainability, and affordable housing. As you know, I have been a little politically charged of late. I feel it is our job to demand more of our public officials and I am hopeful that the changes and policies that Sheriff Demings envisions will become a reality for us here in Orange County, Florida. I encourage you to listen openly and leave a comment. No matter what, register to vote and be involved! I endorse Sheriff Demings for Mayor and hope after hearing his vision for Orange County, you will too.

61. Julio Ricardo Varela on Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria, and Tostones

Today I sit down with Julio Ricardo Varela (cohost In the Thick, LatinoUSA) to discuss the devastation after Hurricane Maria that still plagues the island today. We also go deeper into the underlying problems that the island has faced for decades. Julio hopes that the attention Hurricane Maria has brought to Puerto Rico will result in real action and changes being made that are long overdue. We also talk tostones and dominoes, so listen on as we delve into the culture of Puerto Rico.

56. Rowena Norman of Feeding America

Rowena Norman is a Director of New Corporate Partnerships for Feeding America. She initiates authentic and meaningful partnerships with Fortune 500 companies. She loves utilizing her strong consultative fundraising, relationship management, and negotiation skills to forge innovative partnerships and make a difference every day. I enjoyed talking to Rowena about Feeding America, and the growing issue of hunger that faces so many in the US today. I was surprised to learn about how many people are hungry in the US today, and that many of the kids in school or people we interact with on a daily basis are food insecure. I love learning, and am grateful for the opportunity to constantly have my eyes opened through these interviews. Warning: Rowena’s passion and enthusiasm for her work is contagious, so be prepared to feel inspired to make a difference after listening to this podcast.