Proudly Asian
Proudly Asian Media
Bold and proud stories of Asians, by Asians that challenge stereotypes. Hosted by journalist Isabel Wong, the podcast series touches on identities, struggles and triumphs of Asians around the world while taking a closer look at how biases influence the way we see ourselves and others.
-
FOLLOW US
Youtube: http://youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcast
Instagram: http://instagram.com/proudly.asian
Website: http://proudly-asian.com
Support Us: https://ko-fi.com/proudlyasian
-
FOLLOW US
Youtube: http://youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcast
Instagram: http://instagram.com/proudly.asian
Website: http://proudly-asian.com
Support Us: https://ko-fi.com/proudlyasian
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 10, 2025 • 1h 1min
111 - Neuroinclusive Workplace: Why and How?
October is a big month for mental health and neurodiversity - it’s World Mental Health Day, Dyslexia Awareness Month, and ADHD Awareness Month.Satomi Ogata, a Japanese HR leader and neuroinclusion advocate with over 15 years of global HR experience across the United Nations and US tech companies, was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in adulthood.In this episode, Satomi talks about her lived experience working across cultures, what it takes to build truly neuroinclusive workplaces, and why embracing different ways of thinking is key to creating better teams and a better world.Proudly Asian Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hmol1gJIFlnJVn6zyeJTm?si=Gx9pP4GOSf2eC1DsfwSGzQ----------------------------------------Stay Connected with Proudly Asian:Website - proudly-asian.comInstagram - instagram.com/proudly.asianYoutube - youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcastSupport us - ko-fi.com/proudlyasianEmail us - proudlyasianpodcast@gmail.com
Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 13min
110 - Growing Up Cape Malay in South Africa
Imán Daniels, a Cape Malay teacher born and raised in Cape Town, grew up between multiple cultures before moving across the world to South Korea and Hong Kong. She talks to us about growing up in South Africa, the nuances of being Cape Malay, and what it means to navigate the world when few people truly understand her background. Proudly Asian Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hmol1gJIFlnJVn6zyeJTm?si=vHFLpZjLQPyX4DTEz_ufFA----------------------------------------Stay Connected with Proudly Asian:Website - proudly-asian.comInstagram - instagram.com/proudly.asianYoutube - youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcastSupport us - ko-fi.com/proudlyasianEmail us - proudlyasianpodcast@gmail.com
Aug 27, 2025 • 1h 17min
109 - Vietnam-Bred Indian Sustainability Professional on Wholesome Living
From identity to purpose: In this episode, we hear from an Indian-born and Vietnam-bred sustainability professional Shruthe Kirupakaran. Having spent most of her life in Ho Chi Minh City, she reflects on what it was like to grow up Indian in Vietnam, the ways her upbringing shaped her worldview, and how she eventually pursued a career in sustainability in Hong Kong. Along the way, she shares why her ultimate life goal is simple yet profound: To live as wholesomely as possible.Proudly Asian Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hmol1gJIFlnJVn6zyeJTm?si=Ah0hCCorRYi1Ylo6TrsHNQSegments: 03:22 Growing up experience13:37 Asian beauty standards29:35 Sustainability career & ESG 10151:38 Wholesome living01:01:15 Rapid Bias01:12:22 Music pick & closing----------------------------------------Stay Connected with Proudly Asian:Website - proudly-asian.comInstagram - instagram.com/proudly.asianYoutube - youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcastSupport us - ko-fi.com/proudlyasianEmail us - proudlyasianpodcast@gmail.com
Aug 12, 2025 • 58min
108 - Mixed Indigenous Taiwanese on Reclaiming Indigenous Roots
Born and raised in and around Vancouver, Jason Born - a descendant of Indigenous Taiwanese (Amis, Sakizaya) with German and Japanese ancestry - recently took a big step in reconnecting with his roots by gaining Taiwanese citizenship and legal recognition of his Indigenous identity. In this episode, Jason opens up about the highs and hurdles of speaking out about who he is, the connections he’s built along the way, and what it really means to embrace an identity that lives across cultures. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Leave us a 5-star review if you like this episode!Proudly Asian Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hmol1gJIFlnJVn6zyeJTm?si=Ah0hCCorRYi1Ylo6TrsHNQ----------------------------------------Stay Connected with Proudly Asian:Website - proudly-asian.comInstagram - instagram.com/proudly.asianYoutube - youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcastSupport us - ko-fi.com/proudlyasianEmail us - proudlyasianpodcast@gmail.com
Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 8min
107 - Lao-German Podcaster on Asian Visibility in Europe (ft. Khouliconnects)
Proudly Asian European Special Series: Khoulap - host of German podcast Khouliconnects - was born and raised in Dortmund, Germany. Growing up, Khoulap had to navigate the intersection of her Lao heritage and European upbringing through moments that often raised questions about identity and belonging. She joins us to talk about growing up in Germany with Lao parents, Asian representation in Europe, and what it means to be both Asian and European.Check out the Proudly Asian Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hmol1gJIFlnJVn6zyeJTm?si=1ZslW7Q8R3-kjNGpHgdTaA----------------------------------------Stay Connected with Proudly Asian:Website - proudly-asian.comInstagram - instagram.com/proudly.asianYoutube - youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcastSupport us - ko-fi.com/proudlyasianEmail us - proudlyasianpodcast@gmail.com
Jul 8, 2025 • 51min
106 - Swiss-Born, Dutch-Raised Indian-Hongkonger
Proudly Asian European Special Series: Yashna Manglani is an Indian postgraduate student and owner of the candle brand MY Casa Decor. Born in Switzerland, raised in the Netherlands, and now based in Hong Kong, she carries Indian roots, a European upbringing, and a deep connection to Hong Kong. In this episode, Yashna shares her experience of navigating life across continents, reflects on what it means to grow up Asian in Europe, and challenges assumptions about identity.Check out the Proudly Asian Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hmol1gJIFlnJVn6zyeJTm?si=1ZslW7Q8R3-kjNGpHgdTaA----------------------------------------Stay Connected with Proudly Asian:Website - proudly-asian.comInstagram - instagram.com/proudly.asianYoutube - youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcastSupport us - ko-fi.com/proudlyasianEmail us - proudlyasianpodcast@gmail.com
Jun 10, 2025 • 44min
105 - French Afro-Asian Dancer on Finding Her Own City (ft. Anisha Thai)
Proudly Asian European Series: Anisha ThaiAnisha Thai, a French Afro-Asian artist and content creator joins us to talk about how she’s rewriting the rules and celebrating her cultures loudly through dance. Born and raised in Paris, Anisha takes us through her whirlwind journey of identity, movement, and major career plot twists. From growing up in a Vietnamese-Comorian household to ditching the engineering path and chasing her creative passions across South Africa and Asia, her story is all about owning your roots, making bold moves, and finding your place in the world one city at a time.Check out the Proudly Asian Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hmol1gJIFlnJVn6zyeJTm?si=qBmgSn4-R6qPuo0AdokdrA----------------------------------------Stay Connected with Proudly Asian:Website - proudly-asian.comInstagram - instagram.com/proudly.asianYoutube - youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcastSupport us - ko-fi.com/proudlyasianEmail us - proudlyasianpodcast@gmail.com
May 20, 2025 • 26min
104 - Norwegian-Chinese Entrepreneur on Growing Up in Norway
Proudly Asian European Special Series: In our first episode of this brand new special series, we speak with Elin Fu, a Norwegian-Chinese entrepreneur and the content creator behind the Instagram page @always.elin.Elin talks about growing up in an immigrant family in Harmar, Norway, and how she celebrates her multicultural upbringing through food by turning that passion into a F&B journey in Hong Kong, including launching a Nordic café that blends the flavours of her hometown with the energy of her current city.From Hamar to Hong Kong, this is a story of food, family, and finding belonging across continents.Check out the Proudly Asian Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hmol1gJIFlnJVn6zyeJTm?si=qBmgSn4-R6qPuo0AdokdrA----------------------------------------Stay Connected with Proudly Asian:Website - proudly-asian.comInstagram - instagram.com/proudly.asianYoutube - youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcastSupport us - ko-fi.com/proudlyasianEmail us - proudlyasianpodcast@gmail.com
May 6, 2025 • 1h 2min
103 - Hmong-American TV Anchor on What It Means to Be AANHPI Today (ft. Gia Vang)
May marks the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich histories and diverse voices that make up the AANHPI community in the US. But this year feels different, with the Trump administration’s policy agenda reshaping the socioeconomic landscape for AAPI communities across the country.For our AAPI Month special, we are joined by Gia Vang - Emmy Award-winning journalist, the first TV anchor of Hmong descent in a major US news market, and co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation. Now based in Oakland, California, Gia’s career has broken barriers and opened doors, all while staying rooted in her heritage.She talks about her experience growing up as a daughter of Hmong refugees in America, and what this shifting political moment means for AANHPI communities.Check out the Proudly Asian Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hmol1gJIFlnJVn6zyeJTm?si=0K8WZWu4RJW4VimqGj225w----------------------------------------Stay Connected with Proudly Asian:Website - proudly-asian.comInstagram - instagram.com/proudly.asianYoutube - youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcastSupport us - ko-fi.com/proudlyasianEmail us - proudlyasianpodcast@gmail.com
Mar 11, 2025 • 2h 3min
102 - A Tale of Two Hongkongers (ft. Adam & Zaref Khan)
We are dropping our longest, most laugh-filled episode yet - with Hong Kong born and bred Pakistani creatives Adam and Zaref Khan. For those craving the ultimate hangout sesh with a bunch of friends who just won’t stop yapping, this one’s for you🎙️🔥Adam and Zaref might have grown up in the same Hong Kong-Pakistani family, but their respective journeys making sense of their own identities were quite different. From navigating third culture identities, pursuing a creative career to the eternal struggle of explaining our jobs to our parents (spoiler: they still don’t get it), the Khan brothers break down what it means to belong everywhere and nowhere at once in this banter-filled conversation.Check out the Proudly Asian Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hmol1gJIFlnJVn6zyeJTm?si=0K8WZWu4RJW4VimqGj225w----------------------------------------Stay Connected with Proudly Asian:Website - proudly-asian.comInstagram - instagram.com/proudly.asianYoutube - youtube.com/@proudlyasianpodcastSupport us - ko-fi.com/proudlyasianEmail us - proudlyasianpodcast@gmail.com
