Dear Asian Americans

Suraj Kandukri, Host of Brown People We Know, joins Jerry to share his journey growing up South Asian and how he found a calling, through a few career pivots, to share South Asian stories he didn't have growing up. Learn more about the show at BrownPeopleWeKnow.comMeet SurajSuraj Kandukuri is a podcaster, a climber, a tea enthusiast and more. He graduated the University of Michigan's MBA program in 2021 and works in PwC's M&A practice. Suraj is also the founder of Brown People We Know, an interview podcast about the South Asian American diaspora. He started his career in podcasting as a listener. He but decided to start BPWK to create more "third culture" representation since he grew up without many Indian friends and almost none that took a non-traditional path.About Brown People We KnowBrown People We Know is an interview show exploring non-traditional paths and shared experiences within the South Asian American diaspora. Through our guests, we’ll learn how this community combines elements of South Asian and American cultures, everything from Shah Rukh Khan to Hot Dogs, creating a unique “third culture.” Our end goal is to shatter stereotypes about South Asians in America and to reduce social pressure from within the community to take a certain path.Past BPWK guests include:Bobby Mukkamala, American Medical Association board member and car collector from small-town MichiganSravya Kalyanapu, chemical engineer and Miss World candidate that launched an eco-friendly cosmetics lineVasu Sojitra, right-leg amputee and North Face-sponsored skierRanjan Ravalia, PhD Chemist that became a Hindu priest at 62Rajiv Satyal, first comedian to perform on all seven continentsWeb: https://brownpeopleweknow.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bpwkpodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bpwkpodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bpwkpodcast// 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

Berna Anat, a self proclaimed financial hype woman, host of the Money Please Podcast, and overall amazing human being, joins Jerry on Episode 133 to share her journey as a child of Filipino immigrants who navigated her way through higher education and media leading to her betting on herself as a content creator in the personal finance space. Her brand new podcast Money Please by Betches Media launched in October 2021 and she has a book coming out in 2022. Follow her @heyberna everywhere.Meet BernaBerna Anat is a Financial Hype Woman, which is her made-up way of saying she creates financial education media that lives at @HeyBerna all over the Internet. After slaying her $50,000 debt, she saved up to quit life and has been traveling the world trying to make money fun again ever since. Facts that make her impostor syndrome twerk: Berna has dropped her money mic at venues such as the Girlboss Rally, Google and The Wing, and her work has been featured on platforms such as Forbes, The New York Times, and Buzzfeed. Berna was recently named one of ABS-CBN's Global Pinoy Idols, awarded to the 10 most influential Filipinx people in the United States. Yes, she's Filipina. Yes, she's sure.(Source: HeyBerna.com)Connect with Bernawww.HeyBerna.comInstagram: @heybernaTwitter: @heybernaSubscribe to Money Please by Betches Media// 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

Kanwar Singh, a technologist by day and also a Signal Officer in the US Army Massachusetts National Guard, joins Jerry to share about his journey to America to pursue higher education, what led to him joining the National Guard, and the challenges he has faced to ensure accommodation for him and others religious beliefs. We thank Officer Singh, the US Army, and the Department of Defense for making this interview possible.Meet Kanwar SinghFirst Lieutenant (1LT) Kanwar Singh is a financial services professional by training. After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011, he enrolled at Harvard University. While at Harvard, then-Specialist (SPC) Singh attended a speech by Senator John McCain, who encouraged attendees to serve their country through the U.S. military. Inspired by this call to service, as well as the resilience of those who survived the Boston Marathon attack, then-SPC Singh applied to join the Army National Guard in Massachusetts in 2014.In June 2014, then-SPC Singh took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam and scored in the top one percent. Instead of embracing him and giving him an equal opportunity to prove his abilities, the U.S. military subjected him to a frustrating bureaucratic process that lasted nearly two years. In January 2015, then-SPC Singh joined Boston University’s ROTC program and participated in all field exercises but was not permitted to do so in uniform. In May 2015, he was selected for the Massachusetts Army National Guard’s State Officer Candidate School and later enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard. At this point, then-SPC Singh submitted a religious accommodation request.While his request was pending, then-SPC Singh was segregated from his battalion and not issued an Army uniform. In December 2015, he met Secretary of Defense Ash Carter at a Harvard University event and publicly asked him whether he would support equal opportunity for Sikhs who wish to serve in the U.S. military. The Defense Secretary applauded then-SPC Singh’s desire to serve and emphasized the importance of diversity in our nation’s military.In March 2016, while his accommodation request was still pending, then-SPC Singh was asked if he would cut his hair and remove his turban in violation of his religion in order to attend Basic Combat Training. In response, the Sikh Coalition and its partners at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and the law firm McDermott Will & Emery filed a lawsuit on Specialist Singh’s behalf.IMPACTIn response to our lawsuit, the U.S. Army realized that the law is not on its side. After nearly two years of perseverance, then-SPC Kanwar Singh was successfully accommodated by the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Consistent with the Army’s promulgation of a new policy accommodating observant Sikhs, the Army issued a new accommodation for then-SPC Singh in January of 2017 that extends throughout his military career.In August 2018, then-Second Lieutenant (2LT) Kanwar Singh successfully graduated from Army Officer Candidate School as part of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. In February 2021, he was promoted to First Lieutenant. 1LT Singh is now responsible for leading soldiers during humanitarian, homeland security, and combat operations as a Signal Corps officer.(Source: SikhCoalition.org)Connect with KanwarInstagram: kanwar91 TikTok: @SikhSoldierKanwar in the media:USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/militarykind/2021/06/21/sikh-soldier-honors-religion-and-country/7773476002/Sikh Coalition: https://www.sikhcoalition.org/our-work/legal-and-policy/specialist-kanwar-singh/US Army: https://www.army.mil/article/239236/for_massachusetts_soldier_path_to_military_service_was_a_spiritual_one// 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

Misasha Suzuki Graham, author, speaker, and podcaster, of the amazing duo behind Dear White Women, joins Jerry on Episode 131 of Dear Asian Americans to share her story of being a biracial Japanese American and the impact she wants to have on the world for her multiracial sons leveraging her privilege and platform. Be sure to check out her partner Sara's episode on 130!Meet Misasha, in her own words:"A graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Law School, I've been a practicing litigator for over 15 years, and am passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession as well as in my communities. I'm a facilitator, writer, and speaker regarding issues of racial justice and children, the co-author of Dear White Women: Let’s Get (Un)comfortable Talking About Racism, and the co-host of Dear White Women, a social justice podcast. I'm also the biracial daughter of a Japanese immigrant, married to a Black man, and the proud mom of two very active multiracial young boys. We live in the Bay Area of California with our largely indifferent cat."About Dear White WomenDear White Women is an award-winning weekly podcast dedicated to helping White women use their privilege to uproot systemic racism. The show is hosted by Sara & Misasha, two biracial (Japanese and White) daughters of immigrants who’ve been best friends since they met at Harvard nearly 25 years ago. Misasha is a lawyer, amateur historian, and is married to a Black man; Sara is a life coach, facilitator, and is married to a White Canadian man. Together, as moms of very mixed-race children, they help White women use their privilege to uproot systemic racism - most recently with joint consulting work and the publication of their book Dear White Women: Let’s Get (Un)comfortable Talking About Racism.Connect with Misashahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/misasha/https://www.instagram.com/dearwhitewomenpodcasthttps://www.facebook.com/dearwhitewomenpodcasthttps://www.twitter.com/DWWPodcastwww.DearWhiteWomen.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

Sara Blanchard, author, speaker, and podcaster, of the dynamic duo behind Dear White Women, joins Jerry on Episode 130 of Dear Asian Americans to share about her journey through her biracial identity as a Japanese American and what she wants to share with the world about creating a better world for our children. Dear White Women, the book co-authored by Sara Blanchard and Misasha Suzuki Graham, is out today everywhere!About SaraSara Blanchard is a facilitator, TEDx speaker, writer, and consultant who is passionate about building community and connection through conscious conversations. After graduating from Harvard and working at Goldman Sachs, Sara pursued the science and techniques of well-being and is a certified life coach, author of Flex Mom, and co-host of Dear White Women, a social justice podcast.Sara is biracial (Japanese and White), is married to a White Canadian man, and is raising their two White-presenting daughters to be compassionate, thoughtful advocates. They live in Denver, Colorado with their incredibly lovable dog.(Source: SaraBlanchard.com)Connect with Sarahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sarablanchardauthor/https://www.instagram.com/dearwhitewomenpodcast/www.DearWhiteWomen.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

Michelle MiJung Kim joins Jerry to discuss her journey as a queer Korean American woman navigating academic, corporate, and now entrepreneurship life as she uses her voice to challenge the status quo in tech and beyond. Her first book THE WAKE UP is available everywhere today.Meet Michelle MiJungMichelle MiJung Kim (she/her) is a queer immigrant Korean American woman writer, speaker, and social entrepreneur challenging the status quo in tech and beyond. She is CEO and co-founder of Awaken, a leading provider of interactive equity and inclusion education programs facilitated by majority BIPOC educators, where she has consulted hundreds of organizations and top executives from Fortune 500, tech giants, nonprofits, and government agencies to spark meaningful change. Michelle has been a lifelong social justice activist and has served on a variety of organizations such as the San Francisco LGBTQ Speakers Bureau, San Francisco Human Rights Commission’s Advisory Committee, LYRIC nonprofit’s Board of Directors, and Build Tech We Trust Coalition. Michelle currently serves on the board of Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE). Her work has appeared on world-renowned platforms such as Harvard Business Review, Forbes, The New York Times, and NPR, and she has been named Medium’s Top Writer in Diversity three years in a row. Michelle is the author of the book, The Wake Up (Hachette, Fall 2021). Order the book here: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/michelle-mijung-kim/the-wake-up/9780306847202/About The Wake UpIn The Wake Up, Michelle MiJung Kim shares foundational principles often missing in today’s mainstream conversations around “diversity and inclusion,” inviting readers to deep dive into the challenging and nuanced work of pursuing equity and justice, while exploring various complexities, contradictions, and conflicts inherent in our imperfect world. With a mix of in-the-trenches narrative and accessible unpacking of hot button issues—from inclusive language to representation to "cancel culture"—Michelle MiJung Kim offers sustainable frameworks that guide us how to think, approach, and be in the journey as thoughtfully and powerfully as possible. The Wake Up is divided into four key parts:- Grounding: begin by moving beyond good intentions to interrogating our deeper “why” for committing to social justice and uncovering our "hidden stories."- Orienting: establish a shared understanding around our historical and current context and issues we are trying to solve, starting with dismantling white supremacy.- Showing Up: learn critical principles to approach any situation with clarity and build our capacity to work through complexity, nuance, conflict, and imperfections.- Moving Together: remember the core of this work is about human lives, and commit to prioritizing humanity, healing, and community. The Wake Up is an urgent call for us to move together while seeing each other’s full and expansive humanity that is at the core of our movement toward justice, healing, and freedom.Meet Michelle:Instagram: @michellekimkimTwitter: @mjmichellekimLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mjmichellekim// 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

Joe Kye @JoeKye joins Jerry on Episode 128 to share his story of leveraging his talents and background to storytell and create content for good. We talk about fatherhood, career, and life and stay tuned until the end for a special performance from Joe!Meet JoeBorn in Korea and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Portland-based composer, violinist-looper and vocalist Joe Kye “discharges world[s] of emotion” and delivers “divine messages” with his lush string loops and eclectic style (Guitar World). Drawing upon his migrant upbringing, Kye blends indie-rock, jazz, classical, and pop to create a unique sound that “leaves everyone in awe” (SN&R). With his innovative use of digital effects and looping, Kye weaves together diverse textures, catchy melodies, and rich, “song-bird sweet voice” (PopMatters) to create songs that groove, uplift, and empower listeners: "A single violinist...one mesmerizing symphony" (Sacramento Bee). A powerful storyteller with an inclusive sense of humor, Joe’s performances weave his immigrant narrative through his show, inspiring audiences to compassion and empathy in these divisive times: “…the American dream as it should be, [with] Kye reaching across the divide with music to try and heal it - for everyone” (PopMatters). Audiences will “learn about life as an Asian-American” (New York Times) and "believe anew that something glorious awaits the lovers, the dreamers and you" (Willamette Week). After studying music and culture at Yale University, Kye left a career as a high school educator to pursue music full-time. Kye has toured the United States with performances opening for cellist Yo-Yo Ma, comedian Hari Kondabalu, rapper Warren G, and Senator Bernie Sanders, along with nationally broadcast performances on NPR and BBC. Kye recorded his first TedX talk in November of 2018, and has been invited to speak on immigration, creativity, and cultural activism at schools, community organizations, and spiritual centers. Kye is a board member of BRAVO Youth Orchestras in Portland, Oregon.Previous collaborations include the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, the Sacramento Ballet, Seattle Artivist Sharon Nyree Williams, Alvin Ailey Composer/Percussionist William Catanzaro, and LA hip-hop artist Jason Chu. Kye has performed in venues like Benaroya Hall (Seattle), the Alberta Rose Theater (PDX), the Baryshnikov Arts Center (NYC), the White House, Carnegie Hall’s Migrations Festival, and the National Portrait Gallery (DC). Kye is a Fishman and Neunaber Audio Effects sponsored artist, and has studied violin with Marjorie Kransberg-Talvi, John Kim, and Jim Mihara. (Source: JoeKye.com)Connect with Joe:Instagram: @joekyeFacebook.com/joekyetwitter: @joe_kyetiktok: @joekyewww.joekye.comLearn more about The Woori Showhttps://www.woorishow.org/Instagram: @thewoorishow// 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

Justin Chon, writer, director, and star of the upcoming film Blue Bayou, joins Jerry on Episode 127 of Dear Asian Americans to share his story of growing up in Southern California, his acting and film journey, and what inspires him to use his platform to uplift Korean American stories.Blue Bayou is only in theaters this Friday September 17th #BlueBayou//Learn more about Blue Bayou, written by, directed by, and starring Justin Chon, at BlueBayouFilm.com. Only in theaters September 17// 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

Anna Qu, author of Made in China - A Memoir of Love and Labor, joins Jerry on Episode 126 to share her challenging journey as a young Chinese American woman in New York City which she writes about in Made in China. No spoilers on this interview, but I 100% recommend you go read or listen to Made In China. Learn more at https://www.annaqu.com/Meet AnnaAnna Qu is a Chinese American writer. She writes personal essays on identity and growing up in New York as an immigrant. Her work has appeared in Poets & Writers, Lithub, Threepenny Review, Lumina, Kartika, Kweli, Vol.1 Brooklyn, and Jezebel, among others. She holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Sarah Lawrence College.  ​Anna serves as the Nonfiction Editor at Kweli Journal, and teaches at the low res MFA program at New England College, Sackett Street Writers’ Workshop, and Catapult. She lives in Brooklyn with her partner and their cat, Momo.Connect with AnnaTwitter: @quillingitInstagram: @annaquLearn more about Blue Bayou, written by, directed by, and starring Justin Chon, at BlueBayouFilm.com. Only in theaters September 17// 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

Dave Callaham, writer of Shang-Chi, joins Jerry to share his journey into becoming a writer and what it means to write a script whose story features someone that we wish we had growing up. Shang-Chi opens today, September 3rd; check out our interview on Episode 125 with director and writer of Shang-Chi, Destin Daniel Cretton. About DaveDAVE CALLAHAM (Screen Story by/Screenplay by) is a Chinese American screenwriter who grew up in Northern California and moved to Los Angeles in 1999, where he worked as an assistant before selling his first script, a thriller, in 2002.Since then he has written across multiple genres, including action films “Godzilla” and “The Expendables”; comedy/horror “Zombieland: Double Tap”; sci-fi “Doom”; and superhero projects such as “Wonder Woman 1984” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2” (releasing in 2022). He has also written and produced for television, creating the 2017 “Jean-Claude Van Johnson” for Amazon Prime.Callaham lives in Los Angeles with his family, and his recent hobbies include never leaving his house.(Source: Shang-Chi Press Kit)Learn more about the movie here: https://www.marvel.com/movies/shang-chi-and-the-legend-of-the-ten-rings// 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