Bianca is an award-winning sociologist, speaker, and author of Unassimilable. She is completing her PhD at Rice University, where she researches the intersections of race, religion, and politics. She is published in top academic journals and has been featured in major media outlets. Over the last decade, Bianca has served Asian American community organizations and taught Asian American Studies. Through her work in academia and the community, Bianca is committed to the praxis of solidarity and collective liberation.Welcome to 차 with Laura and Leah! Cha is a podcast and video series featuring conversations with our friends over tea. We are two diasporic Korean women who were inspired by Nina Simone's quote, “An artist’s duty is to reflect the times.” Cha is our offering to the collective and we hope our conversations inspire you to start having meaningful dialogues and reflections with your own communities. So make sure to brew a pot of cha and join our conversations about art, spirituality, culture, and liberation. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber so we can continue creating this work together. For a one-time donation, you can Venmo Laura. For monthly support, you can join our Patreon. Thank you!Bianca WebsiteBianca InstagramLaura InstagramLaura WebsiteLaura YouTubeLeah InstagramLeah SubstackLeah YouTubeCha Patreon차 logo designed by grimeninja
Alice Sparkly Kat — aka Ace — is an astrologer and author who moved to the US from China as a young child. We talk about the power and roots of names and how our respective Chinese and Korean cultures look to create harmony through the process of naming. We talk about language systems, finding community, and of course — astrology. What I find particularly interesting about Ace’s perspective of astrology is the recognition that astrology was developed within colonialism and therefore there are many aspects and meanings to be reckoned with, even within such a mythical, magical practice. They call for a relevant use of the stars in how we show up in the world for each other, rather than the misguided self-centered indulgence that often seems to result from the American or New Age concept of spirituality or “wellness.” This conversation was recorded in early October, and we make no mention of world events. Since then, I have loved the way Ace has used their social media platform to speak up and to write about justice and liberation and I invited them back on the podcast for an updated conversation. As I try to do my part to fight for humanity, I continue to value these connections within the Asian community and with all marginalized voices that have historically been oppressed and silenced in this country. So stay tuned for a follow up episode and in the meantime, please enjoy a little mysticism with the very sparkly — Ace. You can follow Ace on Instagram @alicesparklykat and visit their website alicesparklykat.com, you can also find Leah on Instagram @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
Alice Hyoung is a Korean American musician and advocate for mental health. We talk about mental health issues including BPD and anxiety, and I do want to offer the trigger warning that there is a brief mention of suicide. Alice and I share our learnings and realizations, and we’re both on a mission to transform our painful experiences by creating beauty, art, and helping others. Alice also shares how it felt when she joined her church at age 12, where she for the first time felt very aware of a sense of otherness. We talk about role models we had that looked nothing like us, and the feeling of being caught between cultures. We land on the sentiment that you are not only your diagnosis, your work or talent, or your race… we are all these parts of ourselves. I want to add one more note that we recorded this episode on October 1. The world has rapidly changed since then, and I’m working on bringing you conversations that are relevant to some of these current issues. In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy this dive into music, identity, and mental health with the very thoughtful and thought-provoking — Alice Hyoung. You can follow Alice on Instagram @alicehyoungpiano and you can find out more on her website alicehyoungpiano.com and you can also find Leah on Instagram @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
Axie Oh is a NYT and Indie bestselling author. Her book — The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is literary magic. As a Korean American, Axie's stories center Korean culture and characters and are inspired by Korean folklore, but her storytelling reaches beyond any cultural limitations, as evidenced by the fact that her books are translated into over 30 languages. We talk about the deep comfort of the sounds and smells of our shared motherland, a truth that seems to reverberate within our very cells. We swap some outrageous stories including being misidentified, renamed, and asked if we are from North or South Korea. Axie shares her journey to becoming a published author, from the inspired guidance of teachers through racist feedback and rejections, to ultimately maintaining patience and perserverence and not letting the no’s stop you. I love Axie’s joy for Asian pop culture — K-pop, K-drama, and Pokemon — and we talk about how when touchpoints from various cultures are mixed into and immersed into everyone’s day to day life, the result is true inclusion, and more space to understand experiences that are different to yours. Please enjoy the magical — Axie Oh. You can follow Axie on Instagram @axieoh and you can also find Leah on Instagram @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
Liz Tran is an executive coach, author, and host of the Reset Podcast. She shares supremely wise and deeply encouraging thoughts in her book, the Karma of Success. We dig into some big topics, including the question of belonging, the reclamation of identity, and how we both endeavour to set our children up so that instead of contorting to mainstream expectations, we can teach them the skills to be completely unapologetic about who they are. Liz tells us about her IVF journey, the success of which she credits to her implementation of eastern medicine including acupuncture, herbs, and warming foods. We compare notes about our expectations of motherhood, and you’ll see that I am moved to tears to hear about the trust and openness both she and her husband have about the change that awaits them on the other side, a sensibility and malleability that I personally did not have before I became a mother. And quite poetically, Liz’s next book is about just that — CHANGE, and how agile we can be in adapting to change. Please enjoy this life affirming conversation with the prolific — Liz Tran. You can follow Liz on Instagram @resetnyc , you can find Liz's podcast at resetnyc.com/podcast and you can also visit her own website at liz-tran.com, don't forget you can also find Leah on Instagram @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
Michelle Lee is an award-winning marketer and editor, mother, writer, and founder of Monologue, a marketing and PR agency based in NY/LA. She was the editor in chief of Allure and Nylon magazines, global marketing VP at Netflix, and she sits on the board of Gold House as well as on the Advisory Council of Act to Change, which are organizations that propel and protect the Asian Pacific community. Michelle shares how being ruthlessly bullied as a child stayed with her into adulthood, expressing as internalized racism, rage, and ultimately a deep sadness that she has transformed into fighting for a more diverse world. We talk about the damaging effects of reducing Asians to cliches and stereotypes rather than recognizing us as full human beings. As we acknowledge that there’s no quick and easy answer to how we go beyond DEI optics and checkboxes, Michelle emphasizes that one thing is very clear — we have to uplift ALL marginalized cultures. We have to stay out of our comfort zones and keep pushing each other forward and lifting each other up, because an entire ecosystem is required to effect change. And in our conversation, I really came to understand how powerful the beauty industry is as a cultural force. So please enjoy, this beautiful conversation with the iconic — Michelle Lee. You can follow on Instagram @heymichellelee, you can find out more about Monologue at hellomonologue.com you can also find Leah @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
Dani Coleman is the Director of Training and Head Trainer at Pvolve, a science-led workout method that combines low-impact functional fitness with resistance-based equipment. She trains none other than Jennifer Aniston, as well as all of us who join in studio or through the Pvolve app. Dani’s story is rooted in her biracial identity as both Japanese and Caucasian, which she recognizes is both a place of privilege and a place of isolation. I think anyone raising mixed race kids like my family is will really appreciate hearing about Dani’s experiences and challenges. As an example, her parents supported her love of dance, which isn’t typical of Asian cultures, but they required academic excellence, which many Asians and immigrants can relate to. Dani is passionate about supporting underserved AAPI communities, especially in light of her anger around anti Asian hate crimes — an anger I share, which inspired this entire podcast to begin with. We talk about the necessity of going beyond that token diversity card and actively calling in different identities. We share our observations about the fitness and wellness industries, where we see that things are getting better but we also recognize that there is still much more to be done. Please enjoy this heartfelt conversation with the very magnetic — Dani Coleman. You can follow Dani on Instagram @dani_bcoleman you can also find Leah @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
I am really excited to welcome Kim Saira to the podcast. Kim is a somatic healer and coach whose work is focused on Asian women and femmes. In our conversation, Kim gives advice on how to protect your nervous system from triggers through somatic clearing practices and she also shares her thoughts on how to find the right therapist or coach. We talk about the dismantling of our internalized assumption of the model minority myth and the impact these last few years of the rise in Asian hate crimes have had on our personal lives, including the way it’s opened our eyes to the problems of the wellness industry. Kim shares with immense vulnerability and teaches with the clarity and wisdom of someone way beyond her years. I hope you will enjoy this soul-baring episode with the delightful — Kim Saira. You can follow Kim on Instagram @kimsaira you can also find Leah @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
Welcome to Season 2 of Voices on the Side! We have some really exciting guests for you this season, starting with Michelle Li. Michelle is a mother, writer, journalist, news anchor, and she co-founded The Very Asian Foundation, whose mission is to shine light on Asian experiences through advocacy and celebration. Michelle is a transracial Korean adoptee who grew up in middle America, literally jumping hay bales. She shares about how her unique identity shaped her understanding of her culture and the resulting beautiful blended family. We wonder together if true representation has yet to permeate our culture here in US, acknowledging that as exciting as it is to see increased Asian representation in Hollywood, where we really need to see energy invested is in local communities, companies, and classrooms. We also talk about the fact that people DO see color, as we have both seen in our children, and rather than something to be shushed away, we’ve discovered this is a beautiful starting point for conversations about race and diversity. Michelle and I are both raising mixed race children, and at one point during our conversation, Michelle says she wishes someone would just write a book for parents like us. I didn’t mention this to her at the time, but I found it to be a stroke of serendipity that I write about this very topic in my forthcoming book, which I am excited to share more about with all of you soon. In the meantime, I know you will enjoy this thought-provoking episode with the very magnetic — Michelle Li. Find out more about Very Asian Foundation at veryasianfoundation.org and you can find Michelle on Instagram @michellelitv, you can also find Leah @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
Yeldā is a Brooklyn-based artist, author, and activist, known for women's rights and mental health advocacy. She is bilingual and multi-disciplinary. Her work focuses on identity, safety, and community. Yeldā is a celebrated voice of the Afghan diaspora, sharing stories of her culture and upbringing.Welcome to 차 with Laura and Leah! Cha is a podcast and video series featuring conversations with our friends over tea. We are two diasporic Korean women who were inspired by Nina Simone's quote, “An artist’s duty is to reflect the times.” Cha is our offering to the collective and we hope our conversations inspire you to start having meaningful dialogues and reflections with your own communities. So make sure to brew a pot of cha and join our conversations about art, spirituality, culture, and liberation. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber so we can continue creating this work together. For a one-time donation, you can Venmo Laura. For monthly support, you can join our Patreon. Thank you!Yeldā InstagramYeldā WebsiteLaura InstagramLaura WebsiteLaura YouTubeLeah InstagramLeah SubstackLeah YouTubeCha Patreon차 logo designed by grimeninja
Janea Brown is a liberation marketing strategist currently founding Earthlings Undone, a collective connecting frontline movements with content creators through proven systems. After building a successful influencer career (193K Instagram, 195K YouTube) working with brands like IKEA, Nike, Target, Janae walked away from her $400K annual income to investigate alternatives to oppressive systems. Having navigated 22+ jobs across seven industries, Janea now focuses on making anti-capitalist and decolonial solutions more discoverable through coordinates campaigns and resource sharing. Currently in its foundational phase, Earthlings Undone is conducting research and fundraising to amplify grassroots movements by providing educators with ready-made campaigns while connecting systems-weary audiences to existing alternatives. As a fellow earthling exploring the art of breaking free from harmful systems, Janea shares capacity-aware pathways to transformation through her platforms. Her work aims to bridge digital organizing with becoming useless to systems of harm, supporting the collective journey toward becoming better ancestors for all beings and the planet.Welcome to 차 with Laura and Leah! Cha is a podcast and video series featuring conversations with our friends over tea. We are two diasporic Korean women who were inspired by Nina Simone's quote, “An artist’s duty is to reflect the times.” Cha is our offering to the collective and we hope our conversations inspire you to start having meaningful dialogues and reflections with your own communities. So make sure to brew a pot of cha and join our conversations about art, spirituality, culture, and liberation. Janae InstagramEarthlings Undone InstagramLaura InstagramLaura WebsiteLaura YouTubeLeah InstagramLeah SubstackLeah YouTube
Cassandra is our Restie Bestie! She is a neurodivergent Vietnamese-Chinese daughter of refugees. As a somatic healing facilitator and liberatory rest educator, Cassandra guides tired and trauma-impacted organizations, communities, and individuals to rest. Cassandra's mission is to uplift rest as a necessary modality for collective healing and social change. Her holistic approach examines the cultural erasure of rest, integrates the spiritual as well as scientific pillars of rest, and helps people discover what their bodies need to feel safe enough to slow down. Cassandra is committed to building a world where love and liberation are the dominant cultureWelcome to 차 with Laura and Leah! Cha is a podcast and video series featuring conversations with our friends over tea. We are two diasporic Korean women who were inspired by Nina Simone's quote, “An artist’s duty is to reflect the times.” Cha is our offering to the collective and we hope our conversations inspire you to start having meaningful dialogues and reflections with your own communities. So make sure to brew a pot of cha and join our conversations about art, spirituality, culture, and liberation. Cassandra InstagramCassandra WebsiteLaura InstagramLaura WebsiteLaura YouTubeLeah InstagramLeah SubstackLeah YouTube차 logo designed by grimeninja
Suzy is a Palestinian-Californian fashion designer whose parents instilled in her a strong Palestinian identity. She has been drawn to traditional Palestinian clothing and textiles since her youth. After studying Fashion and Textile design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, Suzy designed a modern interpretation of the traditional Palestinian thobe which was showcased at the UN headquarters in NY.Suzy uses Tatreez to bring about awareness and to share the beauty of Palestine. Her latest collection - Freedom Fighter - is a political and humanitarian expression, implementing indigenous fabrics and innovative textile design to pay homage to the past with eyes to the future, hand-embroidered by Palestinian women refugees. In our conversation, Suzy shares learnings from and stories about her friend and mentor Wafa Ghnaim (@tatreezandtea), who is a dress historian, writer, and educator. Welcome to 차 with Laura and Leah! Cha is a podcast and video series featuring conversations with our friends over tea. We are two diasporic Korean women who were inspired by Nina Simone's quote, “An artist’s duty is to reflect the times.” Cha is our offering to the collective and we hope our conversations inspire you to start having meaningful dialogues and reflections with your own communities. So make sure to brew a pot of cha and join our conversations about art, spirituality, culture, and liberation. Suzy WebsiteSuzy InstagramLaura InstagramLaura WebsiteLaura YouTubeLeah InstagramLeah SubstackLeah YouTube
Our final episode of the season is a conversation with Lynn Liou, who has always been a fiercely proud ABC — American Born Chinese. Lynn is a mother, an entrepreneur, lifestyle expert working with brands like Hermes and Burberry, and even—an actual queen! She was Miss LA Chinatown. Lynn has always exuded a deep self-confidence, an ownership of and comfort in who she is. Knowing more of her story now, I see how the warm and loving relationship she had with her parents had everything to do with how she carried herself. We talk about what an amazing role model her mother was, how her own daughter saved her from the depths of grief, and the absolute necessity of having a village. Lynn’s pride in being Asian American is contagious and I love how much she illuminates the glamour of our community. Please enjoy this aspirational and celebratory conversation with Lynn Liou. Follow Lynn on Instagram @itslynnliou and you can follow Leah @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
Today’s conversation with Nicole Wong is really cool because Nicole is Asian American and her parents are Chinese, but their family’s roots actually go back for generations not in China but rather in New Zealand. So while Nicole grew up looking similar to someone like me and while we both had immigrant parents, we experienced marked differences when it came to identity, confidence, and belonging. We talk about what it means to be white-washed, making assumptions based on what someone looks like, and that question we people of color are often asked: no, where are you REALLY from… ugh. We also dissect how we each approach therapy, and Nicole mentions a resource of therapists of color which you can find in the show notes along with how you can find out about her work of passion The Mahjong Project. Please enjoy this very grounding conversation with Nicole Wong. Nicole mentions a directory on the show where you can find therapists of color in the Bay Area, visit this link to find out more therapistsofcolor.org/directory Follow The Mahjong Project on Instagram @themahjongproject and at themahjongproject.com, and you can follow Leah @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
Today I’m talking to Mandana Biscotti. Mandana is an Iranian American filmmaker, mother, and a fellow Californian. She is a storyteller through and through, passionate about sharing her culture's truth, history, and beauty. We talk about the patience that is required in the creative process, the women in her family who instilled in her a deep connection to her identity, and raising mixed race children. Mandana's directorial debut — The Voice of Dust and Ash — was on the Oscars Shortlist and was nominated for Best Music Documentary at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Please enjoy this eye-opening and enlightening conversation with Mandana Biscotti. Follow Mandana’s film on Instagram @thevoiceofdustandash and at thevoiceofdustandash.com, and you can follow Leah @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
In this episode, I sit down in New York City with Sweta Doshi. Sweta is the founder of Bubbsi, a coconut oil-based skincare line for babies. In this conversation, Sweta takes us through her childhood in Alabama, visits back to our respective motherlands, and birthing both children and a brand. We talk about food being the carrier of culture, the duality of life inside and outside the home, and what it’s really like to create and run your own business. Please enjoy this refreshingly honest conversation with Sweta Doshi. Follow Sweta on Instagram @lovebubbsi, and you can follow Leah @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
Today we have an incredibly inspiring and joyful conversation with Betina Gozo. Betina is a mother, Nike Global Trainer, podcast host, and author. A proud Filipina, Betina grew up witnessing what her strong, immigrant mother went through so that Betina could have the privilege of wanting more in life. We talk about her journey of finding her person, the duality of motherhood, and the responsibility she feels to the AAPI community, particularly to her fellow Filipinos. You’ll get an inside peek at what a trainer’s life looks like with two of the biggest brands in the world and I swear, Betina’s energy and optimism are so contagious that you will probably feel revved up to go out and do all the things. Please enjoy this uplifting conversation with Betina Gozo. Follow Betina on Instagram @betinagozo, and you can follow Leah @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
In our second episode, I am delighted to bring you Grace Kim James. Grace is the Head of Marketing at Atlantic Records, representing artists such as Missy Elliott, Lizzo, and FKA Twigs. Grace is a fellow Korean American and we get into so many topics pertaining to what it means to be Asian in America. We go there with the uncomfortable but urgent matter of racism against Asians. Ultimately, this episode is an homage to our immigrant parents, whose sacrifices and strength we admittedly took for granted when we were growing up, and to our Korean heritage, which is finally finding a place in pop culture by way of kpop, kimchi, and conversations like this. I think you’re going love listening to the lyrical cadence of her voice…it’s no wonder such huge musicians want to work with her. Please enjoy this inspiring, no-holds-barred conversation with Grace Kim James. Follow Grace on Instagram @gracekimjames and you can find Leah on Instagram @leahsoojinkim This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com
Welcome to our very first episode of Voices on the Side. I am incredibly excited to share with you my conversation with my first guest, who just happens to be my sister in law. Ayshea McCormack is the founder of The Small Home, a collection of beautifully-crafted interior, lifestyle, and clothing pieces, handmade by artisans from all around the world. She has two daughters—my gorgeous, extremely beloved nieces, and what you see on her impeccably curated Instagram actually depicts her real life, fashion, and home. I’m telling you, it’s the truth. We stayed at their house in London over Christmas and if I left something out on the kitchen counter and walked away for a few minutes and returned, it would almost always have been cleared away! I have been inspired by Ayshea since I first met her. She has a palpable strength and confidence, borne of having left home at only 16 years old and solidified by motherhood. We talk about mental health, menopause, religion, and, one of Ayshea’s biggest messages—resilience. Oh, and she has the loveliest English accent which is just so nice to listen to. Please enjoy this absolutely empowering conversation with Ayshea McCormack. Ayshea’s company The Small Home Leah's IG This podcast was produced by Just Breathe, find out more at justbreatheproject.com our intro and outro music is from purple-planet.com