kung fu

derek johnson

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.

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The San Diego Comic Con episode

25. The San Diego Comic Con episode

It’s San Diego Comic Con week!  In honor of this convention, I sit down with my occasional co-host Oscar, as well as other special guests to chat all things Comic Con.  One of the guests is author and film critic Ric Meyers, known as the kung fu guy!  He was a  long-term columnist for Inside Kung Fu and Asian Cult Cinema magazines, and has consulted on numerous films, including one of my favorites, Kung Fu Panda.  I sit down to talk with Ric about his 20th Kung Fu Extravaganza at San Diego Comic Con.  Another guest is Lei Ann Resurreccion, who is a lover of cosplay.  Lei Ann chats costumes and cosplay fun with me as we both plan on being at Comic Con next year!

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24. Adisa Banjoko on blending hip hop, chess, and martial arts

Adisa Banjoko, founder of the Hip Hop Chess Federation, developed a unique approach to helping youth embrace and apply alternative strategies to obstacles in life by providing an engaging, interactive program that helps youth cultivate the necessary life skills for success. At his center, they teach a blend of chess, hip hop performing arts, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.  The center is open to all youths, but is especially programmed for those in violent neighborhoods. I had a fascinating conversation with Adisa about the intersection of hip hop, martial arts, and chess, and found the work he is doing to bring non-violence through these mediums remarkable.

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22. Gene Ching on Weapons, Drug Intervention, and Fencing

Gene Ching keeps busy. He is the publisher of Kung Fu Magazine, a martial artist, a fencing expert, and is the Psychiatric Crisis Intervention Supervisor in which he volunteers his time in drug and psychiatric crisis intervention at music events. I had the pleasure of talking with him about all of these areas of expertise.   I also learned more about ancient weapons, making weapons, and his new show Man at Arms: Art of War on the El Ray Network.

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17.Pedro Cepero Yee on tradition & culture

Pedro is the owner of Yee’s Hung Ga Kung Fu in Clifton, NJ. I’ve known Pedro through the martial arts community for several years. He has studied with Master Frank Yee for the past 30 years and is an adopted son of Master Yee.  He shares his story of childhood adversity that sparked his decision to become a kung fu teacher.

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