sifu mimi chan / Sifu Mimi Chan

32. Kevin Carr on strength training, coaching, and ice cream

What comes to mind when you hear the words strength and conditioning? Does it leave you wanting to run in the other direction? Sometimes I admit I want to run the other way, but today I sit down with Coach Kevin Carr of Mike Boyle’s Strength and Conditioning and Movement as Medicine to dispel myths and go over the reasons of why we all need both strength and conditioning.

31. Game of Thrones Geek Out with Patrick Lugo

SPOILER ALERT. If you were trapped in a cave over the weekend and still have not watched the season finale of Game of Thrones, do not listen to this episode.

30. Commissioner Patty Sheehan on Pulse shooting, Orlando culture, and women in politics

Love is love. It was so incredible to sit down with Commissioner Patty Sheehan after the one-year memorial of the horrible Pulse Shooting in Orlando. Commissioner Sheehan was on the ground and in the streets helping victims’ families in the wake up the shooting, but even one year later is still comforting the families, fundraising for them, and honoring the memory of their loved ones. I was honored the Commissioner fit me into her busy schedule to discuss her life in politics these past 17 years. As the first openly-gay elected official in Central Florida, she has worked to pass non-discrimination protections and Domestic Partnership legislation for the LGBTQ community. She also shared the challenges she has faced being both openly gay and a woman in politics. I loved sitting with Patty in her office as I was surrounded by colorful art, rainbow flags, Wonder Woman figurines, and the reminder that love is love.

29. Matt Hinckley on sustainable food

It’s time to talk about food!!! As many of you know, I love food. However, being a lover of all foods often raises questions about animal rights, sustainability, being eco friendly, and overall health. Today I talk with chef Matt Hinckley of Hinckley’s Meats about all of these topics. Matt has traveled the world researching food and cultures and formerly worked in Disney and Michelin star restaurants. We all love to eat, but what are some better choices we can be making towards the environment or animal rights? We may not have all the answers, but Matt shares some interesting insights on the food industry; including the large role immigrants play in keeping restaurants alive and substance abuse amongst chefs due to the high pressure of the job.

28. Hiep Dang on Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and The Matrix

It’s time to geek out … no this is not a comic book episode. You don’t have to be a computer or tech geek to tune in. Anyone who uses a computer or smart phone should listen to this chat with cybersecurity expert Hiep Dang. How can you better protect yourself from hackers or computer viruses? What are the most common threats? How does this all fit into The Matrix? Hiep answers all of these questions in today’s podcast about cyberthreats and cybersecurity.

27. Hailey Snow: “I’m just me.” Discovery of a transgender and gay woman

Hailey Snow bravely shares her story of self-discovery. At a very young age, she knew she was both a transgender and gay person, despite growing up in a strict Evangelical household. She suffered through years of torment with her identity, and had no one to turn to. I feel fortunate to share Hailey’s story and learned so much from her. I am appalled at the unequal treatment of the LGBTQ community and hope that stories like Hailey’s will help shed light on misconceptions and stereotypes.

26. Tony Wolf on artistry and acting in NYC

Meet Tony Wolf! He is an actor, singer, and artist in New York. Tony shares his experiences with the struggles of show business. We also discuss his artistry and illustrations, as he has created some comics that have appeared in the New York Times. As you know I am a comic book geek, and always enjoy chatting comics with a fellow geek!

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!

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.

23. Emil Praslick, US Army first class sergeant, on gun culture in America

Emil Prazlick , retired sergeant first class in the US Army and rifle coach of the United States Army Marksmanship Unit was kind enough to sit down with me and discuss the highly controversial topic of gun culture in America. We discuss his expertise in marksmanship and the skills it takes to become a top marksman. We also delve into pro and anti gun viewpoints. I have the utmost respect for Emil and appreciate his service to this country as well as the work he has accomplished with the US Army Marksmanship Unit. Although I have strong opinions on gun regulation, we find common ground in the desire for all gun owners to be safe and responsible. This episode was recorded several weeks ago before any recent gun controversies.

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.

21. Roger Garcia on Asian cinema, film festivals, and the scientific approach to filmmaking

Roger Garcia keeps busy: he is the executive director of the Hong Kong Film Festival, director of the Asian Film Awards Academy, a movie producer, and an expert on Hong Kong cinema. He’s also edited books on Asians in Film and is a renowned film critic. We chat about the time he spent on the famed Shaw Brothers film sets in the 1980s, the history of Asian film studios and the future of filmmaking in Asia. Roger also shares a fascinating theory on how films have adapted for different technological platforms during the end of our chat. For comments or suggestions reach out on social media @sifumimichan.. On with the show.