Coffee with BAO

Coffee with BAO's first followup episode features musical artist Tonie, who originally appeared in Episode 27 of Season 1. We catch up on Tonie's current adventures in living a life that most aligns with who they are. We touch on our Vietnamese roots, gender identity, balancing being a musician vs. music artist, and listening to your most authentic inner voice. Connect with Tonie on IG and TikTok at @tonie.mp3 and check out one of the great songs we wrote together called "Daydreaming." Coffee with BAO is available as a podcast and a Youtube video series. Choose your own adventure! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

My guest this week is filmmaker Wesley Nguyen, who creates under the name a bluer don juan. His films and artwork contain layers and layers of thought, intention, and history. We talk about how influential tea, zen, and the flow state are to our lives and our work. Wes also creates beautiful, soulful visual content for the organic matcha company Chafinity. This is a deep but casual conversation and one of my favorites on Coffee with BAO. Wes' website is at abluerdonjuan.com and you can connect with him on IG and Youtube at @abluerdonjuan. Coffee with BAO is available as a podcast and a Youtube video series. Choose your own adventure! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

In my first solo episode of Coffee with BAO, I enjoy a bowl of Chafinity matcha tea at the beach in Mexico and I talk about my experience with and strategies for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as seasonal depression or winter blues. I've felt these challenging seasonal imbalances for my entire adult life. Recently I've had a different relationship with it, which I attribute primarily to three personal practices: breathing, mindfulness, and microdosing mushrooms. I hope it gives others more perspective on their own experiences. I also answer a great question from a previous episode featuring my niece Kei. Keep those questions coming, they're great! Coffee with BAO is available as a podcast and a Youtube video series. Find all episodes at coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

In this episode of Coffee with BAO, I chat with my friend Julie Yeung, aka EDM producer Hidden Axis, about her incredible year of momentum in her musical career. We discuss self-trust, learning to receive cryptic gifts from the universe, and saying "yes" to magical opportunities disguised as scary leaps into the void. Connect with Julie on IG at @hiddenaxis.music and find more episodes of this show at coffeewithbao.com. Coffee with BAO is available as a podcast and a Youtube video series. Choose your own adventure! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Let's kick off Coffee with BAO Season 2 with a fun conversation with my 16 year old niece Kei! We get to know each other better at the park in the suburbs of Orange County, CA while our conversation centers around art, life, and learning. Submit questions for Bao or Kei and we'll be happy to answer them! Coffee with BAO is available as a podcast and a Youtube video series. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Coffee with BAO, Season 2 is in the works. I love this show but it was so much work to put together! So Season 2 will be much shorter episodes, much more informal, and way less structured. To check out the podcast, visit coffeewithbao.com or watch the video versions on my YouTube channel. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

This week I'm joined by music artist and educator Tonie, aka Tony Nguyen, to share their new song "Daydreaming," which we wrote together a few months ago. We'll also talk about Tonie's path to becoming their current self, a non-binary Vietnamese American music artist, producer, and educator. We touch on how our life decisions impact and are impacted by others, taking risks and freeing yourself from perfection, and what's been top of mind for us lately.  Find Tonie at itstonie.com or @tonie.wav on social media. Listen to Tonie's new single "Daydreaming" on your streaming platform of choice. Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and  video podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at http://coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

I'm trying out a more informal and shorter format, please let me know if it's better, worse, or if you have other ideas! Also, podcasts now include video too, if your Podcast player supports it. This week Katie Hargrove joins me before our co-writing session to talk about the breadth of her work as a songwriter, her journey in the music industry, and how her normal life as a human influences her work. We talk about her path from playing music in Knoxville TN at age 13 to moving to Los Angeles a few years ago to pursue songwriting. We also touch on having a real life outside of music, being a gay woman in the music industry, and what's been on our minds lately. Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and audio podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at http://coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Dr. Cate Le, an infectious disease specialist and author chats with BAO about her debut children's book "Coronavirus is Boo Boo," and a few other timely topics. We learn about her upbringing as a Vietnamese American refugee, her life and career straddling medicine and the arts, and her passion for social and racial equality in healthcare. Dr. Le is currently treating COVID-19 patients and promoting her book to help younger kids learn about the virus and the life changes it has brought about. Find more on Dr. Cate Le at catelemd.com and order her book at coronavirusisbooboo.com. Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and audio podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Animation casting and voice director, actor, and singer Ashley Nguyen DeWitt chats with BAO about her biracial Vietnamese and African American upbringing and career in the entertainment industry. Ashley's work includes a variety of animation projects, including the upcoming Netflix series "Ada Twist, Scientist" which was co-produced by Laughing Wild and Higher Ground, the production company of former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama . We also discuss the immense value of mentors and advocates, especially for underrepresented groups. Find Ashley at ashleynguyendewitt.com Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and audio podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Professional percussionist, audio engineer, and music educator Kyle Dombroski joins BAO to chat about his experience as a Korean American adoptee growing up in Central Illinois, his career in various facets of music, and his goals for his band Hello Noon. Kyle also plays drums with BAO's beautiful boy band and can be heard on BAO's track "Beautiful Things" from the album Perpetual Heartbreak. Learn more about Kyle at kyledombroski.com Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and audio podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

In this special #AAPIheritagemonth episode, Vietnamese American entrepreneur and entertainment industry veteran JohnnyD Nguyen chats with BAO about topics that are top-of-mind for the Vietnamese diaspora all around the world. We discuss his upbringing in between cultures, his unexpected entry into the entertainment industry via a supporting role in The Fast And The Furious franchise, and his career as a producer in various parts of the entertainment industry. JohnnyD's latest business Viet Q Media curates and promotes talent from the Vietnamese diaspora all around the world.   Learn more about Viet Q Media at http://vietqmedia.com   Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and audio podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at http://coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Film and television composer Denise Santos chats with BAO about her musical upbringing in Manilla, her unplanned decision to stay in the US, and her career as a touring musician and composer. We discuss her work on Ella Jay Basco's music video "Gold" featuring Ruby Ibarra and its topic of skin lighteners, beauty standards, and self-acceptance. We also explore the sluggish acceptance of women of color in the entertainment industry and how her experience as a woman channels in the music she has composed for productions such as "Surviving Jeffrey Epstein." Learn more about Denise Santos at https://www.bleedingfingersmusic.com/denise-santos/reel/ Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and audio podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at http://coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Illustrator and New Yorker cartoonist Jeremy Nguyen chats with BAO about his Vietnamese American upbringing and complicated relationship with being Asian. We take a look at some of his artwork and cartoons for The New Yorker and discuss his latest endeavors into sharing his knowledge with others. Jeremy is giving a free public lecture with Creatively on May 20, 2021. Find Jeremy at http://jeremywinslife.com Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and audio podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at http://coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Alan Z, a Chinese American Hip Hop, R&B artist from Atlanta joins Bao Vo for Coffee with BAO. We talk about his international upbringing, early infatuation with rap music, and his new album Face Value, a collaboration with Jason Chu dropping May 14, 2021. The album was partially sponsored by The Slants Foundation. We also get some advice from Alan Z about preserving personal spaces as an entertainer and harnessing the power of your own unique voice. Find info on Alan Z and Jason Chu's album Face Value at http://alanzmusic.com or on social media @alanzmusic   Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and audio podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at http://coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Adventure photographer and Youtuber Pierre T. Lambert chats with BAO about his French American identity and making his escape from a career in engineering for the fossil fuels industry to starting his successful photography Youtube channel and online photography course "30 Days to Great Photos." Pierre also shares his thoughts on entrepreneurship, creative inspiration, and learning to be more present. Find Pierre T. Lambert at http://pierretlambert.com Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and audio podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at http://coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Artist, filmmaker, and photographer Johnny Cubert White joins BAO for a conversation about his career as a television art director, his art, and his life from the Midwest to Downtown Los Angeles. Johnny shares his Greek, Indigenous, and Appalachian family history, his 30-plus year process of embracing his queer identity, and how all of that is encapsulated in his vibrant art and personality. Johnny White's ongoing decade-long photography series #myBROKENcamera is a powerful reflection of all of that.  Find Johnny Cubert White and his photography at http://lensculture.com/johnny-white And thanks to The Soul Thief Vision for the great headshot. Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and audio podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at http://coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Artist, musician, and filmmaker Bennie Mitchell III has an intimate conversation with BAO about his complicated African American history in Savannah, Georgia, his professional and creative journey in music and filmmaking, and the creation of his debut feature-length documentary "It Is Well." The film documents the life and legacy of Bennie's father Reverend Dr. Bennie R. Mitchell Jr., a respected educator, preacher, and activist. He also shares his thoughts on the ongoing process of defining one's personal identity, engaging his community, and nurturing his own mental health. Find Bennie and the BRM Jr Institute at https://brmjrinstitute.org and watch his film "It Is Well" on Amazon Prime Video at https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B08JZ7M62X Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and music producer Bao Vo. The show explores the cultural identity, creative process, and personal growth of diverse guests from the creative and business world. Coffee with BAO is available as a Youtube video series and audio podcast. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at http://coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Sahra Nguyen, the award-winning filmmaker, activist, and founder of Nguyen Coffee Supply, speaks with BAO about digging deeper into her Vietnamese American family's refugee story, developing a passion for art and activism as a teenager, and channeling that passion into a successful documentary filmmaking career. Sahra founded Nguyen Coffee Supply, the first specialty Vietnamese Coffee importer and roaster in the US, with the same mission as her award-winning video journalism: to help advance social and economic equality through education and empathy (and caffeine). Find Sahra at http://nguyencoffeesupply.com Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and producer Bao Vo exploring creative process, cultural identity, and personal growth. Coffee with BAO is also available as a Youtube video series. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at http://coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support

Singer-songwriter, film composer, and actor Goh Nakamura talks with BAO about his Japanese American family history, the unexpected twists and turns of his career as a musician and film composer, and how he's coping with loss during the pandemic. Find Goh at http://gohnakamura.com Coffee with BAO is a series of casual conversations with Vietnamese American songwriter and producer Bao Vo exploring creative process, cultural identity, and personal growth. Coffee with BAO is also available as a Youtube video series. Your financial support is super appreciated. You can donate to help create this content at http://coffeewithbao.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/baovomusic/support