For decades, much of Asian American history was dismissed, overlooked, or considered impossible to document. Professor Gordon H. Chang helped change that.A pioneering historian and one of the founding figures of Asian American studies, Gordon uncovered the records, photographs, artifacts, and personal collections needed to preserve stories that had been hidden in plain sight. His groundbreaking work restored the history of Chinese railroad workers and established their experiences as an essential part of American history.In this episode of Aconic, Gordon shares his unconventional journey from antiwar activist to Stanford professor, how he built a field that many doubted existed, and why recovering the stories of everyday Asian Americans remains critical today. He also explains what history teaches us about the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype, America’s relationship with Asia, and what artificial intelligence can—and cannot—do to preserve our past. Because Asian American history isn’t separate from American history. It helped build America.
Before Jane Wu became the acclaimed producer and director behind Netflix’s Blue Eye Samurai, she spent decades mastering the art of visual storytelling behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic moments.But her path was anything but obvious.From immigrating to the U.S. from Taiwan and finding her voice through art, to breaking into a male-dominated industry, failing spectacularly at storyboarding, and ultimately helping shape Mulan, The Avengers, Game of Thrones and more, Jane’s journey is a story of persistence, mastery and learning to trust your own voice.In this episode of the Aconic Podcast, Jane shares how the experiences that once made her feel like an outsider ultimately became her greatest strengths and prepared her to bring the groundbreaking world of Blue Eye Samurai to life.It’s a conversation about failure, cultural authenticity, creative courage and what becomes possible when you stop trying to fit in and start trusting what only you can bring to the table.
When an Instagram message landed in Dion Lim's inbox, everything changed.What began as another morning in the newsroom became the start of a journey that would transform her career—and help bring the rise of anti-Asian hate into the national conversation.In this deeply personal conversation, the Emmy Award-winning journalist shares how years of trying to fit in gave way to finding her voice, why telling the truth came at a personal cost, and how learning to ask for help became one of the most important stories she ever told.This is a conversation about identity, courage, journalism, and what happens when one person's voice gives an entire community permission to speak.
The Aconic Podcast welcomes Lanhee Chen, a Hoover Institution fellow at Stanford, CNN’s first AAPI political commentator, and host of “Crossing the Lines,” discussing how “losing well” shaped his values, resilience, and commitment to balanced, empathetic political discourse.Chen shares his immigrant family background from Taiwan, growing up from a small Midwestern town to Southern California’s evolving Asian American communities, and the formative impact of watching the 1988 Bush–Dukakis debate that sparked his interest in democracy and debate.He recounts early setbacks like losing a freshman class president race, building programs like mock trial and Junior State, and spending a decade at Harvard before moving to Washington with no job and taking risks to build a policy career, including advising George W. Bush’s reelection effort and serving as Mitt Romney’s chief policy advisor.The conversation covers his bipartisan public service appointments, his 2022 run for California State Controller focused on accountability and ROI for taxpayers, lessons from losing as a candidate, and his advice for AAPI leadership: take risks, expect a non-linear path, and sustain civil, substantive dialogue.
In this powerful episode of the Aconic Podcast, Gary Locke shares his extraordinary journey with host, Soon Yu, from growing up in Seattle public housing to becoming the first Chinese American governor in U.S. history and later U.S. Ambassador to China. Locke opens up about: - his immigrant family’s sacrifices - anti-Asian racism growing up - the assassination plot against him as governor - affirmative action and diversity - public service and leadership - the viral backpack moment that sparked controversy in China - and what the American Dream really means This is a honest conversation about identity, resilience, immigration, family, and leaving a better future for the next generation. This may be one of the most important conversations we’ve had yet.