Dear Asian Americans

Sarah Hwang, author of Toasty, an amazing children's book about identity and belonging, joins Jerry to share her story of growing up in New Jersey and finding her path into the creative world and becoming a children's book author. Learn more about her and her work at Sarah-Hwang.comMeet SarahSarah Hwang was born in South Korea and moved to the U.S at the age of six. Moving to a foreign country at a young age, she used drawing and creating as a way of communication and expression. Sarah was inspired to become a picture book writer and illustrator after reading books that gave her comfort and made her laugh during her childhood.She went on to receive a BFA in illustration at the Maryland Institute College of Arts. Sarah’s goal as an illustrator and writer is to bring happiness and inspire creativity in people through her works. She loves to incorporate fun and humor in everything she creates. In addition, Sarah enjoys adding faces to just about anything, like a piece of Toast.About ToastyToasty's story was inspired by my own struggles as an immigrant child wanting to fit in. During my childhood, picture books played a vital role in my life. When I saw and read books with characters that I could relate to I felt comforted and encouraged by them. It gave me the strength to persevere through my hardships. Through my work, I wanted to do the same for my readers. I want to encourage people to embrace being different. It was a tough journey getting to where I am now, but I hope that my experiences and Toasty’s story can be a source of comfort to our community.Connect with SarahWeb: https://www.sarah-hwang.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_s_hwang/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahsunahhwang/This episode of Dear Asian Americans is brought to you by the Quarter Pounder with Cheese from McDonald's. It’s QPC time. Did your mouth just water? The QPC is the burger that breaks the norms of etiquette, the burger that napkins were made for, the burger that's saucy, drippy, oozing with flavor, always cooked when you order. So the next time you want a mouthwatering burger, order the QPC from McDonald's!// Support Dear Asian Americans:Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/dearasianamericans/Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jerrywonLearn more about DAA Creator and Host Jerry Won:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrywon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryjwon/// Listen to Dear Asian Americans on all major platforms:Transistor.fm: http://www.dearasianamericans.comApple: https://apple.dearasianamericans.comSpotify: https://spotify.dearasianamericans.comStitcher: https://stitcher.dearasianamericans.comGoogle: https://google.dearasianamericans.com  Follow us on Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/dearasianamericans Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dearasianamericans Subscribe to our YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dearasianamericans // Join the Asian Podcast Network:Web: https://asianpodcastnetwork.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asianpodcastnetwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianpodcastnetwork/Dear Asian Americans is produced by Just Like Media:Web: http://www.justlikemedia.comInstagram.com: http://www.instagram.com/justlikemedia

Katrina Torrijos, content creator and evangelist of Adobe Express, joins Jerry to share how the Torrijos family became Asian American, her childhood aspirations of performing, and her introduction to YouTube. Listen in as Katrina and Jerry discuss her journey from blogging as a hobby to creating content as a full-time Adobe Evangelist. You don’t want to miss it! Learn more about Adobe Express at Adobe.com/expressMeet KatrinaKatrina Torrijos is a full time creative based in San Jose, CA. She is a lifestyle YouTuber and streamer on Twitch and Adobe Express Evangelist. Her content mainly focuses around helping beginner and aspiring creatives pursue a full time creative career by providing them with tips and tools on how to get started as well as sharing personal stories and experiences I've learned during my career journey.Connect with KatrinaInstagram: https://instagram.com/katrinatorrijosTwitter: https://twitter.com/katrinatorrijosYouTube: https://youtube.com/katrinatorrijosTwitch: https://twitch.tv/katrinatorrijosLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/katrinatorrijosThanks to Adobe Express for making this episode possible!And Happy Birthday to my brother Jay!This episode of Dear Asian Americans is brought to you by the Quarter Pounder with Cheese from McDonald's. It’s QPC time. Did your mouth just water? The QPC is the burger that breaks the norms of etiquette, the burger that napkins were made for, the burger that's saucy, drippy, oozing with flavor, always cooked when you order. So the next time you want a mouthwatering burger, order the QPC from McDonald's!// Support Dear Asian Americans:Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/dearasianamericans/Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jerrywonLearn more about DAA Creator and Host Jerry Won:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrywon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryjwon/// Listen to Dear Asian Americans on all major platforms:Transistor.fm: http://www.dearasianamericans.comApple: https://apple.dearasianamericans.comSpotify: https://spotify.dearasianamericans.comStitcher: https://stitcher.dearasianamericans.comGoogle: https://google.dearasianamericans.com  Follow us on Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/dearasianamericans Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dearasianamericans Subscribe to our YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dearasianamericans // Join the Asian Podcast Network:Web: https://asianpodcastnetwork.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asianpodcastnetwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianpodcastnetwork/Dear Asian Americans is produced by Just Like Media:Web: http://www.justlikemedia.comInstagram.com: http://www.instagram.com/justlikemedia

Calista Wu, aka CaliStar, joins Jerry on Episode 152 to share about her journey through law, activism, community, and now entertainment. Tune in to hear how she is now committed to using her talents and gifts to uplift the Asian American community through entertainment. Her latest single Don't Give Up is out now.Meet CalistaCaliStar, also known as Calista Wu, is an American recording artist, activist, and well-respected attorney who defies expectations and consistently breaks barriers.  She is the founder of Cali Star Entertainment, LLC, a multi-platform entertainment company created to inspire others to pursue possibility.  As a recording artist and singer/songwriter, CaliStar's new pop project features songs produced by Jae Chong (Solid, Aziatix, Coco Lee, Elva) and Enik Lin (FYKE, Royal Pirates, Amber Liu, James Lee), and mastered by Chris Gehringer (Dua Lipa, Lizzo, Rihanna, Lady Gaga).  As an attorney, she has worked at top international law firms, clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and Best Lawyers in America Ones to Watch.  An active community supporter, she currently serves as the General Counsel of Hate Is A Virus, on the board of directors of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles, and in leadership positions with various other organizations.Connect with CalistaOfficial Website: https://www.calistarentertainment.com/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/caliwu/Facebook:  https://facebook.com/calistarmusicYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/calistarmusicSpotify:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/3sc9RgG4kDSMtmfhxTGu8OApple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/calistar/1585186857LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/caliwuTwitter:  https://twitter.com/calistawuEpisode 152 with Calista Wu is #5 is a 10 part special series with Stand with Asian Americans entitled "Dear Asian Americans, What Now?" exploring what we are going through as a community during the past two+ years amidst the rising anti-Asian violence and hate crimes. We thank our friends at SwAA for their support of Dear Asian Americans.// Support Dear Asian Americans:Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/dearasianamericans/Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jerrywonLearn more about DAA Creator and Host Jerry Won:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrywon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryjwon/// Listen to Dear Asian Americans on all major platforms:Transistor.fm: http://www.dearasianamericans.comApple: https://apple.dearasianamericans.comSpotify: https://spotify.dearasianamericans.comStitcher: https://stitcher.dearasianamericans.comGoogle: https://google.dearasianamericans.com  Follow us on Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/dearasianamericans Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dearasianamericans Subscribe to our YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dearasianamericans // Join the Asian Podcast Network:Web: https://asianpodcastnetwork.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asianpodcastnetwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianpodcastnetwork/Dear Asian Americans is produced by Just Like Media:Web: http://www.justlikemedia.comInstagram.com: http://www.instagram.com/justlikemedia

Andrew Ahn, Korean American filmmaker, joins Jerry to talk about his latest film, Fire Island, out today on Hulu! Andrew shares about his journey into filmmaking, including how he came out to his parents. Listen in as Andrew and Jerry talk about the importance of sharing the stories that we don't hear often enough and why we do what we do for us and our future generations.Meet Andrew:Andrew Ahn is a Korean-American filmmaker born and raised in Los Angeles. His debut feature film SPA NIGHT will premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival in the US Dramatic Competition. Ahn participated in the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, the Film Independent Screenwriting Lab, and the Film Independent Directing Lab for the project. With his producing team, Ahn raised over $62,000 on Kickstarter to fund production. The project also received a Sundance Institute Cinereach Feature Film Fellow grant, Panavision New Filmmaker grant, and FilmLA grant.Ahn's short film "Dol (First Birthday)" premiered at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and has screened at numerous other festivals and venues around the world, including the Lincoln Center, REDCAT, and the Los Angeles Film Festival. The film received the Outfest Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Short Film and the Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival Jury Award for Best Narrative Short.Ahn is an alum of Film Independent’s Project Involve and has promoted diversity in the arts by mentoring youth filmmakers through programs like Pacific Arts Movement’s Reel Voices and Outfest’s OutSet. He is also a board member of Los Angeles Performance Practice. He graduated from Brown University and received an MFA in Film Directing from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).(Source: AndrewAhnFilms.com)Connect with Andrew:Instagram: @andrewahnfilmsWebsite: http://www.andrewahnfilms.com/About Fire IslandSet in the iconic Pines, Andrew Ahn’s FIRE ISLAND is an unapologetic, modern day rom-com showcasing a diverse, multicultural examination of queerness and romance. Inspired by the timeless pursuits from Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice, the story centers around two best friends (Joel Kim Booster and Bowen Yang) who set out to have a legendary summer adventure with the help of cheap rosé and their cadre of eclectic friends.This episode of Dear Asian Americans is brought to you by the Quarter Pounder with Cheese from McDonald's. It’s QPC time. Did your mouth just water? The QPC is the burger that breaks the norms of etiquette, the burger that napkins were made for, the burger that's saucy, drippy, oozing with flavor, always cooked when you order. So the next time you want a mouthwatering burger, order the QPC from McDonald's!// Support Dear Asian Americans:Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/dearasianamericans/Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jerrywonLearn more about DAA Creator and Host Jerry Won:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrywon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryjwon/// Listen to Dear Asian Americans on all major platforms:Transistor.fm: http://www.dearasianamericans.comApple: https://apple.dearasianamericans.comSpotify: https://spotify.dearasianamericans.comStitcher: https://stitcher.dearasianamericans.comGoogle: https://google.dearasianamericans.com  Follow us on Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/dearasianamericans Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dearasianamericans Subscribe to our YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dearasianamericans // Join the Asian Podcast Network:Web: https://asianpodcastnetwork.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asianpodcastnetwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianpodcastnetwork/Dear Asian Americans is produced by Just Like Media:Web: http://www.justlikemedia.comInstagram.com: http://www.instagram.com/justlikemedia

Jerry welcomes back Neil Ruiz, Associate Director of Race and Ethnicity Research at Pew Research Center, to discuss the latest data from Pew and what it says about the violence being directed at Asian Americans. Listen in as Jerry and Neil break down why this work is so important as well as how it helps to affirm our experiences to those outside our community.Meet NeilNeil G. Ruiz is associate director of race and ethnicity research at the Pew Research Center. He studies the international movement of people across borders, high-skilled immigration to the U.S. and around the world, demographic analysis of Asian Americans, and comparative legal immigration systems.Prior to joining the Center, Ruiz was the executive director of the Center for Law, Economics & Finance at George Washington University, and he has also worked as a migration and economic development expert at the Brookings Institution, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.He is a political economist with a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s degree from Oxford University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Ruiz regularly speaks about U.S. immigration and international migration research with major print and broadcast media.(Source: pewresearch.org)Connect with NeilTwitter: @Neil_ruizLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/neilruiz/Read this research:Key facts about Asian Americans, a diverse and growing population (Pew Research Center)About a third of Asian Americans say they have changed their daily routine due to concerns over threats, attacksMore of Neil's Research at PewEpisode 150 with Neil Ruiz is #4 is a 10 part special series with Stand with Asian Americans entitled "Dear Asian Americans, What Now?" exploring what we are going through as a community during the past two+ years amidst the rising anti-Asian violence and hate crimes. We thank our friends at SwAA for their support of Dear Asian Americans.// Support Dear Asian Americans:Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/dearasianamericans/Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jerrywonLearn more about DAA Creator and Host Jerry Won:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrywon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryjwon/// Listen to Dear Asian Americans on all major platforms:Transistor.fm: http://www.dearasianamericans.comApple: https://apple.dearasianamericans.comSpotify: https://spotify.dearasianamericans.comStitcher: https://stitcher.dearasianamericans.comGoogle: https://google.dearasianamericans.com  Follow us on Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/dearasianamericans Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dearasianamericans Subscribe to our YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dearasianamericans // Join the Asian Podcast Network:Web: https://asianpodcastnetwork.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asianpodcastnetwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianpodcastnetwork/Dear Asian Americans is produced by Just Like Media:Web: http://www.justlikemedia.comInstagram.com: http://www.instagram.com/justlikemedia

Dr. Christine Peralta, Asst. Professor of History, Sexuality, Women’s and Gender Studies at Amherst College and Dr. Ian Shin, Asst. Professor of History and American Culture at the University of Michigan join Jerry to talk about the importance of knowing and understanding Asian American history as we navigate the ongoing violence being directed at our community. Listen in as the three discuss the history of the term “Asian American” and how it has evolved over time, and where we’re going as a collective.Christine Peralta is an assistant professor of history and sexuality, women and gender studies. She received a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, a master’s degree from the University of British Columbia and a doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.Learn more about Christine hereConnect with her on LinkedInIan Shin is a historian of the 19th- and 20th-century United States, interested in how “culture,” broadly defined, reflects but also shapes the politics of its time. My research and teaching concentrate on U.S.-China relations, U.S. empire, immigration, and the Asian American experience. He received my Ph.D., M.Phil., and M.A. from Columbia University, and my A.B. magna cum laude from Amherst College.Ian currently teaches at the University of Michigan, where he holds an appointment as an assistant professor in the Department of History and the Department of American Culture. Previously, he taught at Bates College.Learn more about Ian hereConnect with him on LinkedIn and TwitterEpisode 149 with Dr. Christine Peralta and Dr. Ian Shin is #3 is a 10 part special series with Stand with Asian Americans entitled "Dear Asian Americans, What Now?" exploring what we are going through as a community during the past two+ years amidst the rising anti-Asian violence and hate crimes. We thank our friends at SwAA for their support of Dear Asian Americans.// Support Dear Asian Americans:Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/dearasianamericans/Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jerrywonLearn more about DAA Creator and Host Jerry Won:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrywon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryjwon/// Listen to Dear Asian Americans on all major platforms:Transistor.fm: http://www.dearasianamericans.comApple: https://apple.dearasianamericans.comSpotify: https://spotify.dearasianamericans.comStitcher: https://stitcher.dearasianamericans.comGoogle: https://google.dearasianamericans.com  Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearasianamericans Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dearasianamericans Subscribe to our YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dearasianamericans // Join the Asian Podcast Network:Web: https://asianpodcastnetwork.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asianpodcastnetwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianpodcastnetwork/Dear Asian Americans is produced by Just Like Media:Web: http://www.justlikemedia.comInstagram.com: http://www.instagram.com/justlikemedia

Danny Taing, Founder & CEO of Bokksu, shares his journey from academia, tech, and eventually to founding Bokksu, a direct-to-consumer snack subscription and e-grocer highlighting snacks from Japan and beyond. Learn more at Bokksu.com and @bokksu everywhereMeet DannyDanny Taing is the Founder & CEO of Bokksu, a New York and Tokyo-based D2C snack subscription and e-grocer that delivers authentic Japanese food and lifestyle products to over 100 countries. Providing Japan’s traditional makers with a platform to share their goods with a global audience, Bokksu is helping to support, preserve, and promote their craft, while making it easier for the rest of the world to discover, buy, and love authentic Japanese goods.The son of Cambodian-Chinese refugees, Danny was born in NYC and raised in NJ. He received a dual Bachelor's in Psychology and Communication, and a Master’s in Sociology, all from Stanford University. He then worked as a marketing strategist at Google HQ. After that, he relocated to Japan for a position at Rakuten. It was there, during the four years he spent living and working in Tokyo, that he developed his deep love of Japanese food and culture (as well as met his wonderful husband). Following Rakuten, Taing returned to New York to study Computer Science at Columbia University. Inspired by his passion for Japanese culture, Asian-American representation, and entrepreneurship, Taing founded Bokksu in 2015 with $5,000 of his own savings. Utilizing every skill and contact he had, Taing was able to go from concept to launch in just three months, without an additional penny of outside funding. And he sold through his first run of boxes in less than a week. Today, the company is valued at $100M and employs a staff of 50, 80% of whom are BIPOC, female, and/or LGBTQ+; a metric Taing is particularly proud of.In his spare time, Danny is an avid rock climber, fierce board game competitor, and, along with his husband, anime binge-watcher.Meet BokksuBokksu delivers authentic Japanese food and lifestyle products to customers around the world. Founded by Danny Taing in 2015, the New York and Tokyo-based D2C company partners with traditional makers throughout Japan to share their craft with over 100 countries via its snack subscription service, curated market of premium lifestyle goods, and online Asian grocery store. By providing Japan’s traditional makers with a platform to share their goods with a global audience, Bokksu is helping to support, preserve, and promote their craft, while making it easier for the rest of the world to discover, buy, and love authentic Japanese goods. Bokksu is a proudly LGBTQ+ and AAPI-owned company.Connect with Bokksuhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/bokksu/https://www.instagram.com/bokksu/https://www.facebook.com/bokksuhttps://twitter.com/bokksuhttps://www.tiktok.com/@bokksuThis episode is supported by Penguin Random HouseThis month and every month, Penguin Random House invites readers to uplift AANHPI stories and #RepresentAsianStories! Thanks to our friends at Penguin Random House, I added Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, Know My Name by Chanel Miller, and Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho to my Asian American Book Shelf. We're also excited to read My Monster and Me by Nadia Hussain to our kids and to cook up amazing meals with recipes from Korean American by Eric Kim. For more incredible books by AANHPI authors, visit PRH.com/RepresentAsianStories! From page-turning fiction to hilarious memoirs, there's a book for everyone. Go to PRH.com/RepresentAsianStories to explore the lists!Today and everyday, support Asian American Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander authors and storytellers.// Support Dear Asian Americans:Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/dearasianamericans/Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jerrywonLearn more about DAA Creator and Host Jerry Won:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrywon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryjwon/// Listen to Dear Asian Americans on all major platforms:Transistor.fm: http://www.dearasianamericans.comApple: https://apple.dearasianamericans.comSpotify: https://spotify.dearasianamericans.comStitcher: https://stitcher.dearasianamericans.comGoogle: https://google.dearasianamericans.com  Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearasianamericans Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dearasianamericans Subscribe to our YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dearasianamericans // Join the Asian Podcast Network:Web: https://asianpodcastnetwork.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asianpodcastnetwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianpodcastnetwork/Dear Asian Americans is produced by Just Like Media:Web: http://www.justlikemedia.comInstagram.com: http://www.instagram.com/justlikemedia

WE WENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE! I share my thoughts and reflection on my visit to The White House on Tuesday May 17, 2022 for the official Presidential Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration. Thank you to The White House team, in particular Howard Ou, for this incredible and surreal honor to be invited to be celebrated for sharing and uplifting Asian American stories.My 3-day trip to DC has been a whirlwind of connecting with friends, old and new, and meeting fellow Asian American community members that I have looked up to for years. It still feels like a dream and am so grateful for this life changing experience. Thank you to Laura of Leehwa Wedding in Los Angeles for dressing me in traditional Korean hanbok and to Adam King of Govan Luxury for making sure my kicks were fresh!Here's a short and non-exhaustive list of all the amazing friends who made this trip amazing:Howard Ou (DAA Episode 082)Liz Kleinrock (DAA Episode 098)Danny Lee - Anju Restaurant Justin Zhu - Stand With Asian Americans (DAA Episode 142)Brian Pang - Stand With Asian AmericansEric Toda - Meta Prosper (DAA Episode 112)Eric Tu - EST MediaMark Young - Stand With AsiansPeter Huang - Leaders ForumNatassia Kwan - SF City Attorney's OfficeDaryl Quan - Leaders ForumDion Lim - ABC News (DAA Episode 118)Russel Jeong - Stop AAPI HateManju Kulkarni - Stop AAPI HateFrancesca Hong - Member of Wisconsin State AssemblyMin Jin Lee - Badass Author & Bronx Science AlumnaEva Chen - Children's Book AuthorEllia Park - Owner - Atomix / AtoboyDaniel Dae Kim - Actor and ActivistMichelle Kwan - Olympic LEGENDMark Keam - Virginia State DelegateYuh-Line Niou - New York State RepresentativeTim Wang - TDW AgencyBenny Luo - NextShark// Support Dear Asian Americans:Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/dearasianamericans/Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jerrywonLearn more about DAA Creator and Host Jerry Won:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrywon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryjwon/// Listen to Dear Asian Americans on all major platforms:Transistor.fm: http://www.dearasianamericans.comApple: https://apple.dearasianamericans.comSpotify: https://spotify.dearasianamericans.comStitcher: https://stitcher.dearasianamericans.comGoogle: https://google.dearasianamericans.com  Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearasianamericans Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dearasianamericans Subscribe to our YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dearasianamericans // Join the Asian Podcast Network:Web: https://asianpodcastnetwork.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asianpodcastnetwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianpodcastnetwork/Dear Asian Americans is produced by Just Like Media:Web: http://www.justlikemedia.comInstagram.com: http://www.instagram.com/justlikemedia

Julia Riew, a musical theater composer-lyricist, playwright, and soon-to-be Harvard grad, joins Jerry on Dear Asian Americans to share her journey growing up in St. Louis as one of very few Asian kids, how she found her passion for musicals and plays, and how she wants to use her talents and voice to tell stories we all wish we had. Connect with her @JuliaRiew on all platforms and support her work at JuliaRiew.comMeet JuliaJulia Riew is a Korean-American musical theater composer-lyricist and playwright from St. Louis and New York City. She is primarily known for her work on Shimcheong: A Folktale, an original musical that has received international support online and in the news for asking the question, “What would a Korean Disney Princess look like?”Julia grew up singing Broadway soundtracks in the family car and playing the violin from age 4. She has been composing since she was 8, songwriting since she was 12, and writing musicals since she was 14 years old. Despite her love for musical theater, Julia spent her first two years at Harvard as a pre-med student before finding her footing as a joint-concentrator in Theater and Music.In college, observing a lack of Asian students in theater, Julia co-founded the Harvard College Asian Student Arts Project (ASAP), a club created to provide the resources and community for Asian student artists, and co-wrote their first production, a musical called The East Side. She also advised and performed as “Paulette” in ASAP’s all-Asian production of Legally Blonde: The Musical, which received national recognition in fall 2021.Julia was the inaugural recipient of the Musicians United for Social Equity (MUSE) Linda Twine Scholarship (2021) as well as a member of the first MUSE One-on-One Mentorship Program (2021-22) in which she was paired with composer Jeanine Tesori. She was also a member of the inaugural Maestra Music Mentorship Program (2020-21) in which she was paired with Deborah Wicks La Puma. Her original work has been featured at the American Repertory Theater, Harvard University’s Farkas Hall and Agassiz Theater, AMAS Musical Theater, The UNC-Greensboro School of Theater, Nora Theater Company at Central Square Theater, The Harvard Art Lab, University of Missouri, The Community Music School of Webster University, and John Burroughs High School.Julia’s recent works include Alice’s Wonderland, an original musical in collaboration with J Quinton Johnson (Hamilton on Broadway, In the Heights at the Kennedy Center). Her other works include the TYA show Jack and the Beanstalk: A Musical Adventure was commissioned for the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.)’s 2020 Family Musical, and Thumbelina: A Little Musical (The A.R.T. 2019 Family Musical).(Source: JuliaRiew.com)Connect with JuliaTikTok: @juliariewInstagram: @juliariewWeb: JuliaRiew.com// Support Dear Asian Americans:Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/dearasianamericans/Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jerrywonLearn more about DAA Creator and Host Jerry Won:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerrywon/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryjwon/// Listen to Dear Asian Americans on all major platforms:Transistor.fm: http://www.dearasianamericans.comApple: https://apple.dearasianamericans.comSpotify: https://spotify.dearasianamericans.comStitcher: https://stitcher.dearasianamericans.comGoogle: https://google.dearasianamericans.com  Follow us on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearasianamericans Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dearasianamericans Subscribe to our YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/dearasianamericans // Join the Asian Podcast Network:Web: https://asianpodcastnetwork.com/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asianpodcastnetwork/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianpodcastnetwork/Dear Asian Americans is produced by Just Like Media:Web: http://www.justlikemedia.comInstagram.com: http://www.instagram.com/justlikemedia

Dr. Jenny T. Wang, a Taiwanese American clinical psychologist and best-selling author, delves into mental health within the Asian American community. She discusses her journey in psychology and how the pandemic spurred conversations about mental health through social media. Jenny shares personal stories of navigating identity and cultural challenges, emphasizing vulnerability and community support in fighting racial struggles. She also reflects on the importance of boundaries and self-worth, ultimately celebrating collective growth and empowerment.