Yellow Glitter

In this episode of Yellow Glitter podcast, we're joined by Kekoa. Kekoa is a unique drag artist hailing from the islands of Indonesia. She is known for her powerful performances and unique perspective as a queer Asian creative. Growing up with a mixed heritage in a predominantly conservative environment - Transforming through early challenges and military school - The role of drag as a vehicle for self-expression and living with intentionality - Redefining what it means to be an Asian drag performer - Focusing on collaboration, community, and inspiring others In this episode, we chat about: Growing up with a mixed heritage in a predominantly conservative environment Transforming through early challenges and military school The role of drag as a vehicle for self-expression and living with intentionality Redefining what it means to be an Asian drag performer Focusing on collaboration, community, and inspiring others You can find our guest at: Instagram: @kekoais TikTok: @kekoais You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: yellowglitterpodcast.substack.com  Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com

For this episode, guest Louis Lee joins us. Louis is the chief creative officer and co-founder of Bellweather, a strategy-led creative agency that specializes in transforming legacy brands in the non-profit healthcare and travel sector. Louis is passionate about helping brands thrive in an ever-changing landscape, particularly by expanding and diversifying audiences, including women, people of color, and Gen Z. In this episode, we chat about: Overcoming childhood challenges while living in an Asian household Navigating family dynamics as a queer couple Breaking away from limiting Asian stereotypes Analyzing the root of Asian stereotypes in America Being a minority in corporate spaces Leaning into supportive family and friends You can find our guest at: Instagram: @bellweatheragency Website: bellweather.agency X: @louisklee You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: yellowglitterpodcast.substack.com  Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com

This episode we're joined by guest Leslie Xia. Leslie is a queer Chinese American graphic designer and art director currently working at Invesco. They have worked at Fast Company, Vice News, and Men's Health to Millie Magazine, focusing on finance for women, and finally moved to Invesco. In this episode, we chat about: The importance of personal finance, especially for queer and Asian communities Balancing Creativity and Practicality the importance of authenticity in content creation Ethical considerations in journalism and storytelling Maintaining equity and representation in content and design Embracing family support systems and community aid break taboos around discussing money within the community to foster mutual growth You can find our guest at: Instagram: @memoirsofagayxia Website: www.lesliexia.com X: @thelesliexia You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: yellowglitterpodcast.substack.com  Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com

This episode we're joined by returning guest ONCH. A multi-talented artist and jewelry designer. ONCH is a creative artist based in Los Angeles who makes amazing wearable art that goes beyond regular fashion. His unique pieces have been featured in a Biotechnology textbook by David P. Clark and in Vogue, as well as displayed in prestigious places like the MET Museum. In this episode, we chat about: vulnerability, authenticity, and the evolving nature of social media collaborating with legacy brands like Keith Haring his experiences overcoming bullying, and turning trauma into creative success the importance of persistence balancing personal and work life building community through raw, unfiltered content the value of staying true to oneself and inspiring others through genuine human connection You can find our guest at: Instagram: @onch Website: www.onch.us X: @onch Tiktok: @onchtv You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: yellowglitterpodcast.substack.com  Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com

This episode, we're joined by Miss Shu Mai, a Taiwanese American drag queen. We delve into Miss Shu Mai's journey into drag, her dance background, and her experiences with identity and homophobia. She is a founder of the Send Noodz Party, an API-centric drag show in LA. In this episode, we chat about: coming out and finding acceptance the importance of authenticity, community, and celebrating diverse experiences within the Asian American community touching on influences like anime, Pokemon, and the joy of gaming and fan art the significance of holding space for marginalized voices and supporting local drag scenes and cultural communities You can find our guest at: Instagram: @missshumai Send Noodz: @sendnoodzparty You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: yellowglitterpodcast.substack.com  Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com

This episode, we're joined by an extra special guest, Kim Thai @kthai6 . She is a community organizer and founder of Joyful Liberation Collective. They are also a mindfulness teacher, writer and an Emmy Award-winning storyteller! Tune in to dive deep into topics of identity, healing, and liberation within oppressive systems. In this episode, we chat about: The ripple effects that either reinforce or work against systems of oppression Kim Thai's mission to help others reclaim their power and freedom in the world. Ancestral practice and the healing power it can bring. The intersection of Buddhist teachings and modern everyday life. The concept of mindfulness in the attention economy. Engaged Buddhism and adapting teachings to address current societal needs. The commitment to transparency and learning from mistakes in the journey towards social justice and equity.   You can find our guest at: Substack: @kimthai Website: www.thekimthai.com You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com

In this episode, we're joined by Johnathan @jonahsahn , a pioneering content creator who began his journey in 2008. His unique perspective as a Black American and Filipino has made him a powerful voice at the intersection of Black and Asian identity. In 2020, he founded the Black and Asian Alliance Network, promoting solidarity between these communities during a time of heightened tension. Check out his podcast series, The Boys Are Black In Town @jonahsahn on YouTube. In this episode, we chat about: Video games and diversity Traveling to Japan and what a "sense of belonging" looks like Intersectionality of Black-ness and Asian-ness Nuanced activism and standing for your beliefs Doing the work to help the community Performative activism and virtue signalling You can find our guest at: Youtube: @jonahsahn Instagram: @jonahsahn You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com

In this episode, we're joined by Tai, who is a freelance creative director. His hunger for building community ultimately led to the creation of Naarak in August of 2022, and he is now an event organizer in the gay API NYC nightlife scene.  In this episode, we chat about: Community resilience and fostering an environment where gay API have an accepting night-life space  Coming into queer identity and finding a way to navigate that Intersectionality of queer-ness and Asian-ness as an adoptee The origins of Naarak initially starting with small gatherings and eventually expanding to larger events The difficulties of having open conversations and really listening to one another Challenging API stereotypes and demonstrating the community's willingness to engage and contribute to the city You can find our guest at: Tai Nakladda: naaraknyc.com Instagram: @nakalakalaka You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com  

This episode, we're joined by Mike Curato, a gay first generation half Filipino-Irish American author and illustrator of books. He has created many picture books for young children, including his debut queer young adult graphic novel, Flamer, and upcoming books centering diverse creators and audiences. In this episode, we chat about: The launch of Flamer and how it was one of the most banned, talked about books of 2023 The difficulties with social media burnout, online bullying, and doomscrolling Strategies to protect our own mental health, energy, and peace Consuming content mindfully and compassionately Defining our own metrics - what impact are things having on us? Latest project highlighting community, diversity, and love Our upcoming projects for 2024 and beyond You can find our guest at: Mike Curato: mikecurato.com Instagram: @mike_curato You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com

In this episode, we're joined by Harry Trinh, a queer Asian American art director and experiential designer based in NYC, and the Head of Creative of Welcome to Chinatown. In this episode, we chat about: His latest work with Welcome to Chinatown Pivoting from corporate life into his mission-driven work Understanding the value of community-centered work and raising the bottom-line The history of Chinatowns and unlocking our community’s potential through partnership Introducing creative career pathways for API folx Harry’s introduction to creativity and design through his family How queerness is intertwined with liberation You can find our guest at: Harry Trinh: https://experienceharry.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harry_trinh/ Welcome to Chinatown: https://welcometochinatown.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/welcome.to.chinatown You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com

In this episode, we're joined by Susan Liao, a product leader and champion of liberatory leadership working at the intersection of digital innovation, social entrepreneurship and non-profit impact strategy. In this episode, we chat about: Her journey into tech and product Navigating her life through agencies and startups Pivoting from the corporate world to impact-driven work Conforming into inequitable systems and role, and shifting away to find her voice Why we adapt as marginalized communities and how to break away from upholding inequitable systems What’s in Susan’s “kitchen sink” The future of work, diversifying the spaces we are a part of, and creating different forms of distributing wealth Challenging existing systems of work, capitalism, and labor The concept of "Space, pace, and grace" - how are we acknowledging rest as part of our work? Honoring the north star of the communities around us Creating more intention behind our beliefs, words, and actions The importance of rest and filling our cup You can find Susan at: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/susanliao Startups for All: startupsforall.org Leaders Like Us: leaderslikeus.us Susan's first startup experience: Print All Over Me with NEW INC's Year 2 cohort  About Ecocycles and strategy knotworking Improving cross-disciplinary collaboration with strategy knotworking and ecocycle planning, by Nancy White   Emergent Strategy https://adriennemareebrown.net/book/emergent-strategy/ Petra Vega (She/Her/Ella), Liberatory Leadership Coach, Facilitator, Radical Social Worker and Emergent Strategist https://createmorepossibilities.com/about-me/   Ruha Benjamin https://www.ruhabenjamin.com/ Respect The Small https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct2gyOcP694/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com Visit our website yellowglitterpodcast.com

In this episode, we're joined by Haruka Aoki, a queer Japanese artist and poet-illustrator, who takes us on a journey of self-discovery and artistic expression. In this episode, we chat about: The challenges of integrating into a new community The impact migration can have on identity and intersectionality The power of manifestation and the importance of collaboration in the creative process The importance of solidarity among marginalized communities Issues of performative activism and establishing genuine allyship Raising the bottom line for our underrepresented and historically marginalized communities Challenges and benefits of social media Haruka’s book tour and upcoming projects You can find Haruka at: Website: https://harukaaoki.com Instagram: @thecosmicharuka You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

This episode, we’re joined by an extra special guest, Lee-Sean Huang (he/they), a queer first-generation Taiwanese, Cantonese American designer and educator based in New York City and Providence. Lee-Sean Huang is the director of Design Content and learning at AIGA and a co-founder, creative director of Foossa, and teaches design and innovation at Parsons and SVA. This episode, we talk about: Lee-Sean's "midlife crisis" and how he is navigating a new chapter in his life Navigating corporate world and academia with queer & Asian identities His work with the New School and advocating for teachers The role of creativity and design in social impact Dismantling perfectionism, and leaning into imperfection as an invitation for social change The power of community-centered design You can find more information about our guest: @leesean on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn Website: https://foossa.com/leesean-huang Learn more about Yellow Glitter: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com Website: yellowglitterpodcast.com

In this episode, we’re joined by an extra special guest, ONCH, a multi-talented artist and jewelry designer based in Los Angeles. We chat about: The power of dreaming and creating a vision of our future Using a dream diary to record, capture, and realize everyday dreams ONCH's journey from Taiwan and finding oneself Setting intentions and manifesting reality Upcoming collaborations coming to life from dreams Becoming fearless and dreaming for a brighter future Learn more about ONCH: Website: onch.us Instagram: @onch You can follow me at: Website: yellowglitterpodcast.com Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

This episode, we're joined by our lovely returning guest, Jonathan Gibbs, creator of the Black and Asian Alliance Network, a proud, gay, Black and Filipino American filmmaker, storyteller, podcaster, and gamer based in Brooklyn, NY. In this episode, we chat about: The importance of solidarity among marginalized communities Issues of performative activism and establishing genuine allyship Holding individuals and corporations accountable and enacting change The need for representation and visibility in media and entertainment for our communities Raising the bottom line for our underrepresented and historically marginalized communities Challenges and benefits of social media You can find Johnathan Gibbs at: Instagram: @jonahsahn Twitter: @jonahsahn Youtube: @blasianFMA You can follow me at: Website: yellowglitterpodcast.com Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

In this episode, we’re joined by an extra special guest, Dr. Jonathan Tolentino, Program Director of the Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency program at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at University of Miami. We chat about intersectional healthcare and the importance of understanding our history, legislation, and evolving healthcare to show up for our historically marginalized communities & youth. We chat about: The importance of recognizing the intersectionality of gender, race, and sexuality in healthcare. The future of our ever-evolving medical field. Our stories of acceptance and fitting in and the growing visibility of queer identities around the world. Discriminatory laws and their impact on our historically marginalized communities, especially our youth. The importance of showing up and holding our legislators accountable You can more of JT at: Instagram: @jonjon980206 You can follow me at: Website: yellowglitterpodcast.com Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

In this episode, we’re joined by a returning friend, Kim Thai, a queer Vietnamese writer, Emmy-award winning producer, social justice advocate, and mindfulness teacher based in New York. We chat about community building, cultivating joy, and her latest work with Ganeshspace, a mindfulness organization that creates healing spaces for historically excluded communities and social justice education for all. In this episode we talk about: Community healing and the importance of centering joy and liberation in our equity-centered work Reclaiming queerness and honoring indigenous practices Surrounding ourselves with people who uplift and nourish us Prioritizing happiness leading to ultimate self-care and joy You can more of Kim at: Instagram: @kthai6 Instagram: @Ganeshspace You can follow me at: Website: yellowglitterpodcast.com Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

This episode we're joined by an extra special guest, Haruka Aoki. Haruka (she/they) is a queer Japanese artist, author and illustrator of children’s books based in Queens, New York City. Their narrative artwork, which has appeared in New York Times and the Washington Post, aims to inspire individuals with both wit and sincerity as their hand drawn characters engaged with the world around them growing up. In this episode we talk about: Haruka’s pivot from corporate life to exploring art Mental health in today’s workplace Their background and family experience growing up Haruka dives into their world of illustration and the inspiration behind their characters Exploring their latest book, Fitting In (fittinginbook.com) You can find Haruka at: Website: https://harukaaoki.com/ Instagram: @thecosmicharuka You can follow me at: Website: https://yellowglitterpodcast.com Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

In this episode, we are joined by a special returning guest, Johnathan Gibbs, to talk about the latest gay movie Fire Island, and also reflect on the harmful impact of the gay white gaze on our queer Asian communities. In this episode we talk about: Reflect on Fire Island movie’s representation of queer Asian perspectives and stories The gay white gaze and discussing the harmful impact of these narratives How to catch ourselves when we are co-opting into systems of power and oppression Forgiving ourselves in the process and healing our inner selves Finding refuge and community with more diversity around us References: BaBEC Fire Island GaGaOOLaLa You can find Johnathan Gibbs at: Instagram: @jonahsahn Twitter: @jonahsahn Youtube: @blasianFMA You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi Twitter: @wakuu YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

Excited to be joined by Linda Jiang, a toy designer living in Los Angeles, California. In this episode, we delve into the world of the doll industry and the representation of gender-inclusive doll design. Linda Jiang (she/they) is a toy designer living in Los Angeles, California; unceded Tongva land. Linda’s work centers around designing inclusive toys to create social change through play. They designed the recent Barbie Inspiring Women doll, specifically the doll for Ida B Wells, and led the design for Creatable World, a gender-inclusive fashion doll line. When they're not designing, Linda enjoys building community with her friends, reading mystery novels, and learning fashion history through vintage clothing. In this episode we talk about: Linda’s background and story of entering the world of design A day in the life of designing in the doll industry Queer BIPOC people in creative industries Gender-inclusive doll designs You can find Linda at: Website: little-linda.com Instagram: @little.linda You can follow me at: Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com