Asian in Austin

Chef Harold Villarosa, originally from the Philippines and raised in the South Bronx, shares his journey from fast food joints to working at world-renowned restaurants like Noma. Now residing in Austin, Texas, he talks about his new role as a father, his exciting culinary projects like OKO Austin, and his dedication to community building through authentic Filipino cuisine. Learn how Chef Harold is blending his rich cultural heritage with innovative culinary techniques, and his vision for the future of Asian cuisine in Austin. Topics Covered: • Chef Harold's background and culinary journey • His experiences working at prestigious restaurants • The transition to Austin and upcoming Filipino restaurant Oko • His commitment to sustainable, community-oriented food practices • The importance of food media and storytelling in today's culinary worldMaterials Referenced:OKO Austin Chef Harold Villarosa InstagramAlice Waters Edible Schoolyard

Speakers from Asian Family Support Services of Austin (AFSSA), Asian Texans for Justice (ATJ), Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAFF), and Austin Asian Community Health Initiative (AACHI) joined us for a live moderated panel discussion at the Austin Asian Professional Summit in May this year. During the discussion we learned more about the direct services and support they offer to the AANHPI community in Austin, why it's important to focus on our community and how individuals can get companies involved to support their work.Moderated by: Minh Vu, Asian in Austin PodcastPanelists: Zahra Shakur Jamal, Director of Prevention, Outreach and Education, Asian Support Family Services of AustinHailey Easley, Executive Director, Austin Asian Community Health InitiativeSabrina Sha, Operations and Development Manager, Asian Texans for JusticeHanna Huang, Executive Director, Austin Asian American Film Festival The Austin Asian Professional Summit was hosted in collaboration with the Asian American Resource Center and the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, with support from Austin Asian Film Festival, Orchid Events, and Northshore Media.Materials Referenced: Austin Asian Professional SummitAsian Support Family Services of Austin (IG)Austin Asian Community Health Initiative (IG)Asian Texans for Justice (IG)Austin Asian American Film Festival (IG)Asian American Resource Center (IG)Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (IG)Orchid Events (IG)Northshore Media (IG)

Nelson Lin is a retired Chinese restaurant child laborer, with decades of experience in the food industry and shoving down his feelings. He currently takes credit for running Soupleaf Hot Pot with his mom and brother, which is Austin's first all you can eat hot pot restaurant. He also runs a meme group called Subtle Asian Real Estate, with over 23,000 members helping each other get from 0 to 1 on their first home. Subtle Asset Management, his investment company, primarily focuses on funding affordable housing with $35M AUM. He has degrees in engineering from Columbia University and Cal Poly SLO, and was formerly a techie at Apple, Microsoft, and Brookfield Asset Management.Topics Covered:• The history of his family from the Fujian province in China.• Austin's welcoming environment for restaurateurs • The difference between Austin's Asian food scene and other larger areas• Mom and pop run Asian restaurants vs a newer wave of restaurants • Running a restaurant with family members• Striking balance of authenticity when serving hot pot • The success behind Soupleaf • Investing in real estate and tips on how to get started Materials Referenced:Soupleaf HotpotSubtle Asian Real Estate GroupThe Snakehead: An Epic Tale of the Chinatown Underworld and the American Dream by Patrick Radden 

Dr. Pooja Lakshmin MD is a board-certified psychiatrist, author, keynote speaker, and a contributor to The New York Times. Her debut book, REAL SELF-CARE: Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble-Baths Not Included, is an NPR Best Book of 2023 and a national best-seller. Real Self-Care has been featured by Good Morning America, NPR’s Code Switch, The New York Times, The Ezra Klein Show, The Guardian, and translated into 10 languages. She lives in Austin with her partner Justin, their toddler, and their two cats, Kitty and Fifi. Topics Covered: • Growing up spending summers in India and navigating life as a "Good Indian Girl" • Becoming disillusioned with medicine and psychiatry and that journey that led her on• Her move to Austin since 2020 and how that experience has been • The growing interest in self-care and what the difference is between self-care and faux self-care• The nuances of holistic or integrative medicine and the barriers communities of people face in mainstream medicine • The differences between tools and principles in real self-care and how they can work together to help you make big decisions in life• How to apply real self-care to Asian American guilt • Disrupting intergenerational trauma • How to identify which boundaries are yours vs boundaries that may have been passed down by your culture or familyMaterials Referenced: REAL SELF-CARE: Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble-Baths Not Included by Dr. Pooja Lakshmin MDDr. Pooja Lakshmin InstagramGood Morning America SegmentNPR's Code Switch: Real self-care takes real systemic change

On the heels of her being announced as part of ACL Fest's 2024 line up, KUTX's artist of the month and more, we're talking to the pop rap artist promqueen to share more about her past year, her musical inspirations, and more! promqueen (she/they) is a second generation queer Vietnamese American pop rap artist based in Austin, TX. As a daughter to Vietnamese born parents, promqueen draws lyrical inspiration from her family history, own experiences and self reflection as second generation raised in Texas. Alongside music, promqueen thrives in collaborative environments as a multidisciplinary artist across acting, community organizing and writing. promqueen is active in the AAPI community, performing at Asian Culture Fair, Asia World Night Market, AAAFF Gala, AARC Tonesfest and UT’s Silk Club 10th zine release anniversary. Through her music, she hopes AAPI folks feel encouraged to process, express and share their art to the world.Topics Covered: • Learnings and reflections from her szn one EP release in 2023 and what 2024 has brought• Writing a family memoir and how it inspired the music and development of promqueen • Music inspirations from both Vietnamese music and rap• Themes in her music and what's to come for the rest of 2024 • Jewelry and its symbolism Materials Referenced: Instagram: @saypromqueenWebsite: saypromqueen.comJuly 13th second annual prom ticket presaleszn two vinyl pre orderJune 1st Show - Arlington, TXPopulation Change and Demographic Trends for Austin’s Asian American PopulationKUTX Artist of the MonthACL 2024 LineupParis by Night / Lynda Trang DaiKim Son Jewlery

We've got a special episode recapping the opportunity to host an official AAPI meetup at South by Southwest (SXSW) this year along with teasing our new season this year. Topics Covered:• Our experience at SXSW this year and what we hope to see next year • A brief unofficial primer on SXSW along with a few pro tips on how to navigate the festival• Our plans for Season 3 and the podcast Materials Referenced:• AAPI Meetup at SXSW• Vietnamese-Hungarian Singer, Hien

Jenni Lee is an investigative reporter and Midday anchor at KVUE in Austin, Texas. Jenni joined the KVUE news Team in June 2015 as the Weekend Daybreak anchor and weekday reporter but the veteran journalist has worked in the Austin TV market since 2001.Before arriving in Austin, Jenni worked at KBTX-TV in Bryan and College Station after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin. For more than 20 years now, Jenni has been breaking and covering stories important to our community and to our world. Her work has been recognized by several organizations: the Texas Associated Press of Broadcasters; the Lone Star Emmy Chapter; the American Cancer Society; the Diversity Council and the Austin Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities.Jenni was born and raised in Richardson, a suburb of Dallas. She is married, has a son, adopted two crazy rescue dogs and is raising all of them. She no longer does gymnastics.NOTE: This episode was recorded in Summer of 2023. Topics Covered:• The origins of her interest in journalism • Her experience with gymnastics • Taking a break from anchoring • One of the most challenging stories she's had to cover. • Reporting during the height of the Stop Asian Hate movement • AAPI representation in news reporting and in media and her experience in that • Separating work from home life and the importance of work/life balance and self care exercises• The story Jenni still wants to share• The importance of mental health • What brought Jenni to Austin and what's kept her here• What does Jenni want to be known for? • Her relationship to her ethnic identity today. Materials Referenced:3 Part KVUE Series: The fasting-growing minority segment in Austin - AAPIKome, Coco's Cafe, Qi Austin99 Ranch, 85 Bakery, Soup Leaf Hot PotPew - Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the U.S.KVUE: Jenni Lee

Yola Lu is a comedian and actress based out of Austin, TX. She is the co-founder of Y'all We Asian, Austin's first and only all-Asian American improv troupe. She also is the 2022 Austin Chronicle Best Actress winner, and is currently in post production of her short film, Patsy. You can see her perform with her all female-identifying improv troupe, Garage, every Thursday at the Fallout Theater, and with Y'all We Asian every first Friday of the month also at Fallout Theater. She also hosts a monthly stand up show called Oops! All Headliners which is every last Saturday of the month at ColdTowne Theater. NOTE: This episode covers topics related to miscarriages and depression. This episode was recorded in June 2023. Topics Covered: • Feeling the pressure of being at times the only woman or Asian comic on a standup lineup across Texas.• What motivated Yola to pursue more creative endeavors for a career instead of a more corporate path.• Describing what it felt like to perform standup for the first time and how she knew she did well. • Directing, producing and promoting neighborhood productions as a kid.• Her parents perspective on the neighborhood productions and encouragement in her life.• What inspires her standup material?• Taboo topics around divorce and miscarriages and her short film, "Patsy". • The importance of mental health and therapy and the differences between generations of Asian Americans.• What brought Yola to Austin and how she found community and stability here. • Starting Y'all We Asian and aspirations for the future. Materials Referenced• Yola Lu Comedy | Instagram• "Patsy" - A Short Film by Yola Lu• Y'all We Asian Comedy Troupe• The Alchemist Book• Xian Fresh Restaurant• China Family Restaurant

The first-born child of immigrants, Zohaib 'Zo' Qadri is the first South Asian American and Muslim elected to serve on the Austin City Council. He was elected to represent District 9 in 2022 and serves the residents of some of Austin’s oldest neighborhoods, including Travis Heights, Hyde Park, and Downtown. He is committed to tackling Austin’s housing crisis, fighting for an expanded and equitable transit system, and protecting and uplifting Austin most marginalized residents. He currently lives in Downtown Austin with his wife, Wafa, a physician assistant at Baylor Scott & White, and their cat, Daisy Mae.Topics Covered: • Spending down time w/ wife and friends• Growing up in Victoria and A Town Called Victoria Documentary by Li Lu• Pivoting from medicine/healthcare into public service and being inspired by his family's giving back.• Zo's political career journey from graduate school, working with the City of Kyle, City of Houston and pivoting towards electoral work, getting involved in campaigns (Beto's Senate Race), working at the capitol and worked at Senator Warren's Presidential Campaign, before running for Council. • Difference between Texas State and Rice University and what drew Zo back to Austin• Family expeirences with politics and reaction to Zo's pivot. • Zo's perspective on the changes and growth Austin has experienced and representing District 9.• Not taking for granted being the first South Asian city council member and the importance of representation. • Helping to pass increased safety measures on Sixth Street and Rainey Street after the Lady Bird Lake incidents. • How Zo wants to be remembered for during his time on City CouncilReferenced Materials: District 9 | Austin, TexasA Town Called Victoria DocumentaryKiin Di Thai TruckMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/anatoliaLicense code: CTKXYDZ8R9QDK4F8

Sherry Kong is the co-founder of Mama Kong, a nomadic kitchen cooking up Cambodian food with her husband, Brandon since 2017. Her family immigrated to Austin in 1982 after fleeing the war in Cambodia. After teaching in Japan and New York’s Chinatown, she nad her husband decided to reset the button on life, move back home and introduce Austinites to Cambodian food. She trained and cooked with her mom every week until she mastered  the recipes she grew up eating. You can find them at pop-ups, festivals and organizing private dinners / supper clubs. They're constantly introducing people to Cambodian food and exploring ways to curate special connections that revolve around deliciousness, positivity and shared experiences. Topics covered: •  Her family owning a donut shop in Round Rock and Cambodian's relationships to Donut Shops in the U.S.•  Learning recipes with her mom and sharing what makes Cambodian cuisine unique from other Asian cuisines.•  Curating the first menu for Mama Kong Cambodia's first pop up and the menus that follow. •  Perspectives on owning a brick and mortar location.•  Running Mama Kong with her husband, their strengths and weaknesses, and importance of allyship. •  Early memories of the Austin Cambodian Community and their reception to Mama Kong•  The differences between our parents generation vs our generation's relationship to eating out •  Future aspirations with Mama Kong, perspectives on owning a brick and mortar and what success looks like.Referenced materials in this episode: Mama Kong Cambodian Website ; InstagramThe Donut King DocumentaryEmma Long Metro ParkTan My Restaurant, Din Ho Chinese BBQ Restaurant Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/anatoliaLicense code: CTKXYDZ8R9QDK4F8

We kick off Season 2 with Ayshea Khan, former Asian American Community Archivist at the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library and current Equity & Inclusion Coordinator at the Austin Equity Office. Ayshea's worked in Austin as a storyteller, facilitator and community archivist for over 10 years and has been a longtime volunteer and collaborator with the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) and is proud to serve as their current Board President. She believes deeply in the history of Black, Indigenous and People of Color as a site for healing, organizing and building a more humane future. Topics covered: • Plant caretaking and their health being a reflection on your own health. • The initial migration patterns of Asian Americans into Austin from the 1800s to 1950s. • What spurred the Austin History Center to start collecting the histories of Austin's communities of color.• Anti-Asian legislation and conferences around land ownership held in Austin in the 1920s and 1930s and protests led by local Chinese immigrants to stop racist legislation from passing. • Ayshea's journey in the film industry, archiving industry and relationship with her own Asian American identity today. Referenced Materials this Episode: • Zilker Botanical Japanese Garden• Ng Family and the Sam Wah Cafe• South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA)• Asian American Archive Collection at the Austin History CenterMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/anatoliaLicense code: CTKXYDZ8R9QDK4F8

Benjamin Suh am currently a third-year student at the University of Texas at Austin studying economics. He's also the Social Media Director in (un)Jaded, an AAPI-centered mental health & social advocacy organization. Growing up in both the U.S. and South Korea, he was bombarded with two drastically different environments, and this unfortunately provided a lack of sense of community to him. However, through (un)Jaded, he found a healthy sense of community where I was able to flourish and dive deeper into my interest in social media management. This month, we learn more about his experience in both South Korea and the U.S. and what he hopes to continue exploring in his future. Referenced Materials in the Episode: (un)JadedAsian American Organizations in AustinWe'd love to hear from you! Email us at asianinatxpodcast@gmail.com and share what you hope to hear from us in the future, what you liked about this season, who your favorite guest or episode was and any other feedback you have! 

Lily Trieu is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees and grew up in Southwest Houston, Texas. Currently she serves as the Interim Executive Director of Asian Texans for Justice, a statewide nonprofit with a mission to connect Asian and Pacific Islander Texans to meaningful civic action to build personal and political power. This month we talk about her Chinese-Vietnamese heritage, family journey and pivot from more than a decade experience in corporate life to education and advocacy. Referenced Materials in the Episode: Asian Texans for JusticeATJ Instagram  "Minority Rule: How 3 Percent of Texans Call the Shots for the Rest of Us" - Texas Monthly "Ahead of elections, Asian American and Pacific Islander organizers try to break down language barriers" - Texas TribuneAsian American Organizations in AustinFollow us on Instagram: @AsianinATX Follow us on TikTok: @AsianinATX

Born-and-raised in Texas, Mars has been creating music under the stage name Honey Son for over a decade. In this month's episode, Mars shares more about growing up as bi-racially Filipino and Black in San Antonio, navigating the music scene in Austin, and staying true and authentic in his music. Outside of music, he very much enjoys fathering his precocious 9 year-old daughter Olivia.Referenced Materials in the Episode:Honey SonDawa Fund"If We Hold On Together" by Diana RossAsian American Organizations in AustinFollow us on Instagram: @AsianinATX Follow us on TikTok: @AsianinATX

Nadia Chaudhury, editor of Eater Austin, is a Austin-based photographer, writer, and New Yorker. She covers Austin's restaurant and dining scene and this month we learn about her journey with her Bangladeshi background weaved throughout her life, food and her work. Referenced Materials in the EpisodeEater AustinPartition PodcastEater Austin: Welcome to Texas Wine CountryAsian American Organizations in AustinFollow us on Instagram: @AsianinATX Follow us on TikTok: @AsianinATX

Yen Tan is an Austin-based, Malaysian-born writer, director, and graphic artist. He premiered the critically-acclaimed "Pit Stop" at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013. His NYT Critic's Pick feature, "1985," premiered at SXSW 2018. This month we hear from him on how the intersectionality of his Asian American and queer identities inspire his film work and storytelling projects. Yen also co-directed "Until We Could" (2014) with David Lowery, an Addy-winning PSA for Freedom to Marry that was narrated by Robin Wright and Ben Foster. He's been a fellow of Austin Film Society’s Artist Intensive, IFP’s Film Week, and Film Independent’s Fast Track. He was named one of Out Magazine's OUT100 of 2018.Referenced Materials in the Episode- Yen's WebsiteAsian American Organizations in AustinFollow us on Instagram: @AsianinATX Follow us on TikTok: @AsianinATX

What is it like to navigate the world as a bi-racial child? Join us for this episode as we chat with Aisha Lewis, a social impact leader and DJ, of Black and Japanese descent. She shares her experiences of growing up with a Japanese mother and Black father in Los Angeles and what eventually led her to make her way to Austin, TX. She gives us intimate views into her cultures and what being Asian American means to her. Referenced Materials in the Episode: Aisha's SoundCloudLiquor Store Dreams (Documentary)The L.A. riots, 30 years later (Podcast)Asian American Organizations in AustinFollow us on Instagram: @AsianinATX Follow us on TikTok: @AsianinATX

How do we even define Asian American and which ethnicities does it encompass? And what's the context that brought the first Asians to Austin? In this episode, we learn all that plus more about Dr. Eric Tang's own relationship to his Asian American identity, being a racialized subject and W.E.B. DuBois' Double Consciousness, and what the future holds for the Asian community in Austin with our special guest, Dr. Eric Tang, the Associate Professor of African and African Diaspora Studies and Director of the Center for Asian American Studies. Referenced Materials from the Episode: Dr. Eric Tang's Book "Unsettled: Cambodian Refugees in the NYC Hyperghetto"W.E.B. Du Bois' Double ConsciousnessMinor Feelings by Cathy Park HongCity of Austin's Master Plan of 1928Sing Family - Austin Revealed: Pioneers from the EastAsian American Organizations in AustinFollow us on Instagram: @AsianinATX Follow us on TikTok: @AsianinATX

The series premiere of Asian in Austin shares the purpose and goals for the podcast and we dive into our personal experiences and relationship to our Asian American identity as a gay Vietnamese American man and Vietnamese American woman. Each month, we will have a specific theme and invite special guests from the Asian American community in Austin to share more about their own relationship to their identities and talk about the theme at hand.Asian American Organizations in Austin: https://bit.ly/asianinatxorgsFollow us on Instagram: @AsianinATXFolluw us on TikTok: @AsianinATX

Asian in Austin is a podcast to elevate the voices and stories of Asian Americans living in Austin, Texas while exploring what it means to come into one's own identity. The podcast will premiere May 2 and is hosted by Sandra Pham and Minh Vu.