Kainalu Moya is an Asian American actor hailing from Kaneohe, Oahu. Kainalu, also known as “Kai”, is best known for his roles on Power Rangers Dino/Cosmic Fury and the Villains of Valley View. He is a competitive Taekwondo fighter and frequently competes at Taekwondo tournaments across the nation. Kainalu just won gold at the 2025 USA Taekwondo Nat…

Ranella Ferrer is a dynamic Filipino-American singer, songwriter, and media personality renowned for her powerful vocals and inspiring personal journey. Hailing from the Philippines, she began performing at the age of 3 and moved to the U.S. at 13 to pursue her musical dreams. Nicknamed the “Asian Queen of Soul,” Ferrer has opened for artists such …

Drea Castro is a Filipino-American actress, filmmaker, and producer making waves in the film and television industry. Her award-winning short Old Man Jackson, Gold Telly recognition, and Emmy-considered role in The Rehearsal showcase her talent. With a new yoga and meditation series on the horizon, Drea continues to craft impactful, socially consci…

Dichen Lachman is a Tibetan-Nepalese Australian actress known for her captivating presence and dynamic range across film and television. She stars as “Gemma” and “Ms. Casey” in Apple TV+’s acclaimed series Severance, earning praise from Esquire and Rolling Stone for her standout performance. Lachman first gained recognition in Joss Whedon’s Dollhou…

Minori Ito is a Japanese Sri Lankan model, Columbia University graduate, and future Harvard student, celebrated for breaking barriers in the fashion industry while advocating for diversity and inclusion. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Massachusetts, she blends her multicultural heritage into her personal style and professional work. Beyond model…

Charles Yu is the author of four books, including the New York Times bestselling novel Interior Chinatown, which won the National Book Award for Fiction, and is now a limited series streaming on Hulu and Disney+ (for which he served as creator and showrunner). He has also written for shows on FX, AMC, and HBO, and is developing feature film project…

Christopher HK Lee is an award-winning film director and content producer with over 35 years of experience in media, animation, and education. His acclaimed documentaries, including "The Last Tear" and "Forgotten Victory," have earned over 60 awards and been screened at top festivals, including the Oscars and Cannes. A former professor at instituti…

Panney Wei is an award-winning motivational speaker, certified clinical hypnotherapist, and the Chief Empowerment Officer of See the Way Consulting. With a rich heritage linked to Qing dynasty General Tso Tsung-tang, Panney inspires individuals, especially women, to unleash their potential and achieve lasting transformation through hypnotherapy, co…

Vera Chow is a Hong Kong-raised, NYC/LA-based Film and TV Costume Designer best known for her work on AMC’s The Walking Dead and Netflix’s The Brothers Sun, starring Michelle Yeoh. With nearly 20 years of global experience, her dynamic portfolio spans period dramas, sci-fi, arthouse, and large-scale epics, including recent critically acclaimed proj…

Anthony Basco is the founder of Boss Coast LLC, a bold brand born from resilience, redemption, and a powerful personal journey. After serving nearly a decade in prison, Anthony transformed a simple recipe into a mission-driven business that now reaches shelves across North America. Through his work as a speaker and mentor, he uses his story to insp…

Dr. Jeffrey Soo Kim is an accomplished educator with over 23 years of experience in schools, having served as an instructional coach, administrator, civic lead, teacher educator, and curriculum author. He created the first high school Korean American Studies course for Anaheim Union High School District and currently teaches future education leader…

Susan Zhang is a pianist, educator, and entrepreneur known for her dynamic performances and innovative outreach. A prizewinning soloist, she has performed internationally and co-founded The Concert Truck, a mobile music venue bringing classical concerts to outdoor spaces nationwide. Susan has collaborated with major institutions like the Kennedy Ce…

Jen Soriano is a Filipinx-American writer, performer, and narrative strategist whose work bridges grassroots organizing and art-driven social change. They are the award-winning author of Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing and co-editor of Closer to Liberation: A Pina/xy Activist Anthology. A recipient of fellowships from Artist Trust, Hugo Hou…

Radhika Vekaria is a Grammy-nominated British-Indian artist known for blending ancient Sanskrit mantras with modern soundscapes to create spiritually immersive music. Having overcome a childhood speech impediment through singing, she now uses her voice as a tool for healing and transformation. Her acclaimed album Warriors of Light earned her a 2025…

Nicole Cabell is an award-winning American soprano known for her rich voice and versatile artistry. Born in California with African American, Korean, and Caucasian heritage, she rose to international fame after winning the 2005 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. She has performed leading roles at top opera houses like the Royal Opera Hous…

Celebrity Chef Katie Chin is an award-winning cookbook author, caterer, and Culinary Ambassador to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The daughter of restaurateur Leeann Chin, Katie grew up in the kitchen before beginning a successful career in film and television marketing—eventually returning to her culinary roots. She co-hosted the PBS se…

Minji Chang is a Korean American actor, producer, writer, and podcast host based in Los Angeles. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she earned a BA in Public Health from UC Berkeley and initially worked in violence prevention and tech before transitioning to the entertainment industry. She served as the Global Executive Director of Kollabo…

Adhrucia Apana is an Artist, Writer, and the Founder of the production company Curiosity Entertainment, which develops and packages film and television, books, and provides music supervision. As a producer, she’s brought powerful films to life, including the Emmy-nominated “The Survivor” by Barry Levinson starring Ben Foster, “Needle in a Timestack…

Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur and investor, known for founding Geekwire.com and PicMonkey, a leading photo-editing platform. He currently owns and publishes the re-booted Seattle Magazine and Seattle Business Magazine. Jonathan has the unique distinction of being the first to sell two companies to Google and a third to Shutterstock. His latest …

Lieutenant Taerance Oh has served with the San Diego Police Department for over 21 years. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, he immigrated to the U.S. at age three and grew up in Los Angeles. A former United States Marine, Taerance is a 3rd-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and enjoys coaching martial arts. He has held various roles within the depa…

Flip Ahn Cuddy, an American of Irish and Korean heritage, is a descendant of the Dosan Ahn Chang Ho family, the first Korean American family in the U.S. His mother, Susan Ahn Cuddy, was the first Asian woman in the U.S. Navy and the first female Gunnery Officer in U.S. Armed Forces history. Flip holds degrees in Anthropology and Geography and is an…

Kalaya'an Mendoza is a Queer, Disabled, Filipino human rights defender, street medic, and community safety & mutual protection expert. For the last two decades, he has worked in solidarity with frontline communities worldwide to co-build their capacity to respond to state and non-state actor violence. He currently serves as the Director of Mutual P…

Jeremiah Abraham is an award-winning Marketing and Public Relations Executive with nearly 20 years in the entertainment industry. As the Founder and CEO of Tremendous Communications, he has become a leading voice in making Hollywood more inclusive of the AAPI community, spotlighting talent, and producing films and TV shows. His notable projects inc…

Kristy Drutman, known as "Browngirl Green," is a media producer, speaker, and environmental educator focusing on the intersection of media, diversity, and environmentalism. She has reached global audiences with her content and workshops on environmental issues. As the Co-Founder of the Green Jobs Board, Kristy is committed to bridging the equity ga…

Venk Modur is a Los Angeles-based celebrity stylist, costume designer, and actor whose clients have been featured on the Academy Awards red carpet, in Vanity Fair magazine, and on numerous 'best dressed' lists. His aesthetic combines fashion with cultural significance and unique uses of accessories, bold colors, and neutrals. He's mastered the art …

Karan Soni was born in New Delhi, India. He debuted as Kemal in Yusuf Sumer's short comedy film Kaka Nirvana, where he co-starred with Rachel Quinn. In 2016, Soni rose to international prominence as Dopinder in Tim Miller's action film Deadpool, a role he later reprised in David Leitch's sequel Deadpool 2. In this episode, Karan shared insights abo…

Loida Lewis is the first Filipina lawyer to pass the New York State Bar and is a businesswoman, philanthropist, and leader in the global Filipino community. After her husband's passing, she took over TLC Beatrice International, driving the company to continued success. A former General Attorney for the US Immigration and Naturalization Service, Lew…

DJ KSLY (K-Sly) is the first Asian female DJ to achieve mainstream success and has been a trailblazer since the '90s. Starting when DJing was just a hobby, she turned it into a career, aiming for multi-platform success as a Party, Radio, and TV DJ. KSLY disrupted the industry, paving the way for more women DJs. She is now part of the female-led Pri…

Stephen Gong has been the Executive Director of the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) since 2006. He joined CAAM in 1980 and has held positions at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the American Film Institute. Stephen has also lectured in Asian American Studies at UC Berkeley, where he d…

Jaswant Shrestha, an Emmy-winning documentarian, producer, and actor, is known for his cultural film "Festival of Saraswati Puja." His roles in major films like "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" and "Ms. Marvel" Have captivated audiences worldwide. Jaswant invites you to explore his incredible journey. In this episode, Jaswant not only …

Thao Huynh French is an artist, muralist, and photographer. Born in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, she lives and works in San Diego, CA. She is best known for co-founding Mindful Murals™ with her husband, where together they’ve painted over 300 community murals for schools and public spaces all over California. In addition to painting murals, she develops …

Chanchanit (Chancee) Martorell is an activist, educator, urban planner, and community development practitioner. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Thai Community Development Center, which advocates for victims of human trafficking and affordable housing, among other causes. In this episode, Chancee discusses their efforts to improve t…

Mika Shino, a first-generation Japanese entrepreneur, founded Issei Mochi Gummies in 2022. She created the world's first all-natural mochi gummy brand, which is vegan, kosher, and free of gluten, dairy, soy, and nuts. Her company, which is woman- and minority-founded, owned, and led, has disrupted the candy sector by offering a clean-label, better-…

Joanna Fang is a well-known Foley artist, actor, and sound editor, known for her work on films such as "God of War: Ragnarok", "The Invisible Man" and "Promising Young Woman". She has won the Primetime Emmy Award and other awards for her outstanding sound effects work. Joanna is also an advocate for the rights and interests of Foley artists, and ha…

Michelle MaliZaki (Ichiban Mom) is a Japanese immigrant mom who has been performing stand-up comedy in the Los Angeles area since 2018. Her unique perspective on motherhood, cultural differences, and life in America has made her a sought-after performer in the comedy scene. In this episode, Michelle shares the inspiring story of her journey to the …

Anne Nguyen Oliver is the Founder/CEO of House of M Beauty. House of M Beauty is a skincare brand that offers a curated range of luxurious saffron skincare products. Their formulas are centered around premium and potent medicinal saffron, which is known for its brightening, calming, and protective properties. In this episode, Anne shares her journe…

Co-author of "How money works for women", Kim Scouller is recognized as a leading advocate for women and their finances. She has been an attorney for more than 30 years and served as in-house counsel for one of the largest financial services companies in the world. During her tenure at Transamerica, she served in several executive roles for the com…

Dr. Ellorin is the leading expert on maritime Southeast Asian gong-chime music in Southern California. He is also a master of the Filipino banduria (a version of the Spanish bandurria, a plucked string instrument similar to the mandolin) and the associated rondalla music. He is versed in the percussion music of the Cordillera Mountains of Northern …

Holly Choon Hyang Bachman graduated with a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Social Psychology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She served as the Co-Chair for the newly launched Multicultural Alumni Network (MCAN) at the University of Minnesota Alumni Association and Founded and Co-Chaired the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Non…

Rizwan Manji is an actor known for his captivating performances on hit TV shows like 'Schitt's Creek' and 'The Magicians,' and his appearances in acclaimed films and commercials. He is a distinguished actor celebrated for his versatile portrayals across television and film. In this episode, Manji shares insights into his upbringing as a Canadian ac…

Fiona Ma, serving as California's 34th State Treasurer, has carved an illustrious path as a trailblazer and dedicated public servant. Breaking barriers as the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to hold this esteemed position, Fiona brings a unique blend of expertise and commitment to managing the state's fina…

Born in South Korea, raised in Michigan, and currently living in California, Kam Redlawsk is a multi-award-winning disabled Industrial Designer, artist, (rare disease and disability) advocate, traveler, writer, consultant, and speaker. In this episode, Kam shares the challenges associated with a rare degenerative muscle-wasting disorder (GNE Myopat…

Christy Innouvong Thornton is a dynamic force at the intersection of culture, entrepreneurship, and community advocacy. A proud Lao Isan American, Christy's journey is deeply rooted in her unwavering connection to her Southeast Asian heritage. Driven by a profound passion for sharing the rich tapestry of traditions, flavors, and stories from Laos a…

Prasansook "Fawn" Veerasunthorn is a Thai film director and animator. She worked as a storyboard artist on the Disney Animation films Frozen, Moana, and Zootopia and as head of story on Raya and the Last Dragon. Her first feature film was Disney's Wish, in collaboration with Chris Buck. This episode delves into Fawn's transformative journey upon re…

Stephen Oyoung stands as an accomplished actor, motion capture stunt performer, and voiceover artist, whose versatile skills have left an indelible mark across various entertainment mediums. With a career spanning both the silver screen and the dynamic world of gaming, Stephen has continually captivated audiences with his remarkable performances an…

Gajin Fujita is a graffiti artist whose work transcends boundaries and seamlessly blends the rich tapestry of Japanese tradition with the vibrant energy of Western urban culture. In this episode, Fujita talks about his early days as a graffiti artist in tagging crews like KGB and KIIS and his current status as a major star in LA's downtown art scen…

Pier Nirandara is an award-winning author, travel writer, film producer, and underwater photographer. She began her career as Thailand’s youngest English-writing author of three #1 national bestselling novels, multiple graphic novels, and short stories with over 200,000 copies sold in multiple languages published by Nanmee Books. In this episode, N…

Born in 1973 in Vinh Long, Vietnam, Dr. Le and his family embarked on a harrowing journey, escaping the country by boat to Indonesia in 1982. After spending a year in various refugee camps, they resettled in the United States in 1983. In this episode, Dr. Le reflects on his family's initial struggles with financial hardship upon arriving in the US,…

Maki Mae is a multi-talented, 13-language vocalist, concert pianist, and classically-trained violinist who has captivated audiences globally. Her illustrious career has seen her headlining crossover performances in major televised events, sports arenas, and festivals, including America's Got Talent, Special Olympics World Games, and Burning Man. In…

Born in Hong Kong, Andy Cheng began his martial arts journey early, mastering Taekwondo and earning numerous championships, including five consecutive gold medals. His prowess led him to represent Hong Kong internationally, clinching victories across various competitions. After retiring from competitive sports, Cheng ventured into the entertainment…