Get RAW Podcast

Today’s episode is my first completely unedited, extremely raw update - recorded in my bathroom, where I often talk to myself.  Before you worry; I am A-OK, and honestly in a better place now than I ever have been. I’ve been spending the last year(s) and especially the last six months really focusing on my health in all the ways: mentally, emotionally, physically. I also started a dream job four months ago, so I could not be more grateful for where I am and who I am surrounded by. Even as I appreciate all I have now, I (very often) have moments like this episode. I wanted to share these parts of my journey, and not just the “Happily Ever After, Here’s How I Overcame, I’m an Asian Hustler” ending - because in life, the real ending is … death! Haha. I will continue to feature guests, but now and again I’m considering  sharing my unfiltered ramblings since they require a lot less editing. Here goes….*Vyvanse, the drug I mention, is prescribed to those diagnosed with ADHD **correction: Uncle Ben, not Aunt May says “with great power comes great responsibility” - this has been attributed to Winston Churchill, Voltaire, etc…IG: GetRAW_podcast Stephanie@getrawpodcast.org 

Finance Degree or Art Degree? Play it safe or Shoot for the Moon? What's the right order? Sculptor, Caretaker, Job seeker, and Dreamer - Debbie Vu of Alief, Houston discusses why being (only) good at school can leave you (really) lost when it comes to real life.  @art_dtvTakeaways:Spending 90% of your time applying for jobs isn't efficient or effective.Aiming for jobs lower than your skill set is actually hurting you.Your resume should reflect where you want to be, not just where you were.Rejections should not define you. You NEED to know your worth. In everything.You NEED a passion project outside of your job.Disclaimer:  I am not a professional coach, therapist, (anything, really) - My opinions in this episode are purely from my own experience and observations working across corporate, small business, consulting, and nonprofit organizations for 16+ years. Listen at your own risk!Note 1: Editing this episode made me realize where I got "useless potato" from (last episode, recorded after this one). So, thanks Debbie. To us, celebrating potato-ship. Potato-ness?Note 2: Talking to Debbie made me realize why I call everyone "girllll or dude" indiscriminately - it's an Alief thing?  I need to update it to be "huumann..." or maybe.. "BeinG" *LinkedIn = an American job hunting / networking website. They are not paying me to mention them. They should.Recorded: 1/4/2023, the day after my cousin and I were harassed/chased in NY at a subway station by a man asking if we were from China. 

Sometimes I feel like a useless potato. Sometimes YOU may feel like a useless potato. But you are NOT a useless potato!  I am also NOT a useless potato!"There's no such thing as a Useless Potato. Potatoes can be made in so many ways. Fried, scalloped, mashed, julienned, salad-ed, turned into a battery. Just because potato you is sitting in a (sad) sack in the dank cellar right now, wondering what is to become of you, does NOT mean you are not destined to turn into something yummy."- Special Potato 🥔 Stephanie IG: @getraw_podcastThank you to my Patreons - and  Michelle, Terence, Christina, Jennifer, Janet, Tracy, James, Jerry, Lina, pjtadsp (who you be? It's ok you don't have to tell me).  Please considering subscribing to get more insider updates!

Michelle is 20 years old, battling not just Lymphoma and chemo, but her mental health, her friendships, her confidence, her outlook on life and on .... everything.In a world that fosters everyone knowing everything about everyone, does caring too much what others think ultimately lead to us caring LESS about what really matters?This episode is deeply emotional, and beautiful - just like Michelle - and a great reminder to all of us of what really matters in life."Cancer doesn’t define me, it empowered me to become the best version of myself again" - MichelleIG: @ellekcimThank you to all my first lucky 8 Patreons - who motivated me to get this episode out today. Michelle, Terence, Christina, Jennifer, Janet, Tracy, James, Gardener - this post is for you. All of it.

I turned 38 two months ago. I've been on anxiety/antidepressant medication for 6 months. I was diagnosed with ADHD 2 weeks ago. I’m finally learning to be comfortable and proud of who I am. It’s hard as fck, but it’s awesome.This is my first ever non-edited episode!  PS: I hope you will follow me on IG @getraw_podcast and consider sponsoring this podcast for $1 a month!

In this personal episode, Stephanie and her sister Wei Wei (Christine) finally do a podcast ... by accident. During a call about their 99 year old grandpa's passing, they remember his strength, vitality, and courage in escaping communist China - as well as how repressed their family is when it comes to dealing with grief and ... all feelings.Warning: Death, Crying, Cussing, Sad Feelings

What is life like for a biracial, white passing daughter of a mother that chose to erase her Indian heritage? How does looking "ethnically ambiguous" effect an actor when booking jobs? It's not enough Sheila is an executive producer, writer, show runner, opera singer, and krav maga-er. On top of it all, she is a role model, philosopher, mental health advocate, and veritable geyser of wisdom and humor. From creating a safe set on her upcoming project Night, Mother to representing BIPOC and neuro-divergent characters with respect and grace, Sheila could teach Hollywood a thing or two on how it should be run. Links at getrawpodcast.org/the-long-white-con/

According to her eastern and western zodiac signs, Stacy is a riotous combo of a stubborn ox and fiery ram. Just kidding, Stacy hates astrology. And compliments. And parental PDA. And marriage. And Affluent Anti-Affirmative Action Asians.So how did a painfully shy girl turn into an irreverent, irrepressible illustrator that people just can't get to shut up? Get ready to hear a lot of opinions, and laugh - a lot. Visit getrawpodcast.org for Stacy's illustrated story about a hilarious convo with her mom and why she hates astrology so damn much.@stacynguyencreativeStacyNguyen.com

What happens when Stephanie's neighbor's dog attacks her dogs for the third time in three months? Does she channel Leslie's training to defend herself and her pup?Part 2 of "You are Worth Defending" with Leslie.Bonus: Listen to the recording between the neighbor, the police, and me.  Fun times.For those who haven't checked it out, you really need to let Leslie empower you at reclaimingyourcourage.comSpecial thanks to Jerry who taught this podcast host over a decade ago about the "One Party Consent Rule" when it comes to recording conversations, and all the friends and fam who have been supportive while I dealt with this @$$hole.PS: Jerry says,  "One party consent is only in certain jurisdictions. You should seek legal advice from an attorney licensed in your particular state or territory."

Where did our Instagram Account go? Down the Sh*tter. What happened? Was it because I pulled The Tower card in my last Tarot card reading?! Find out in this mini episode.  www.getrawpodcast.org

Love. Freedom. Strength. Vulnerability. These are the tenets of Leslie Lew, Martial Arts / Female Empowerment / Modern Self Defense Coach & Badass Kung Fu Witch . If you have EVER felt hesitant standing up for yourself at work, at home, or in life, Leslie is the guide and verbal hug we all didn't know we desperately needed. From overcoming generational to personal trauma, to being bullied at work, to potentially losing faith in romantic love, Leslie teaches us in this inspirational episode how to distill your deepest pain into the purest form of inner power. "Sick and tired of being sick and tired?" This episode is for you.Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, SuicideLinkswww.reclaimingyourcourage.comhttps://www.instagram.com/reclaimingyourcourage/Highlight videos to look forhttps://www.instagram.com/p/CNa34hwjgRs/https://www.instagram.com/p/COGJjgjD0HN/Skills to build from LeslieMindset questions to ask yourself What do I believe is a worse case scenario here? What is my strategy to navigate through this?VocalizationWhat is a boundary I have no problem protecting? What can I say to someone who crosses that boundary?MovementWhen presented with a technique or self-defense advice, ask yourself: "How can this work for me?"

Our producer Kristal hosts this episode, telling the very dark, twisting, fascinating and TRUE story of Sister Ping, Queen of the Snakeheads, arguably the most successful documented human smuggler in history and based right in the heart of New York’s Chinatown.From warring Fujianese street gangs, to international money laundering, to sneaky-sneak side deals with the FBI, fans of the HBO Show Warrior (and women led organized crime syndications) will NOT want to miss this. Also, there is a movie soon to be released based on this sensational story! Links on our website and in bio.Warning: Descriptions of Graphic ViolenceBased on the book “The Snakehead: An Epic Tale of the Chinatown Underworld and the American Dream” by Patrick Radden KeefeSister Ping photo credit: NY Daily News Archive/GettyThis episode is dedicated to our friend Jenny. www.GetRawPodcast.org

Jordana is full of wishes. She wishes to be more connected to her Chinese culture. She wishes she knew more before engaging in hookup culture. She wishes she knew her birth parents. She wishes her two Jewish dads were ok with her wearing spaghetti straps. She wishes people were more ok with her emotions, her thoughts, her opinions - and if they're not, actually, come to think of it.... she doesn't care. The thing about Jordana is, she's not just a dreamer, she's a doer. She KNOWS she will learn from her past, she INTENDS to cultivate a better relationship with her parents, and she PLANS to go back to China one day to live, work, and search for her birth parents. From learning how to set boundaries to dismantling her drive to be hyper productive, this episode has a little something for everyone. www.GetRawPodcast.org

On the inaugural episode of Real Asian Voices, Sho Morikawa opens up about his experience as an Asian American trans man. From telling his Asian parents (while navigating language barriers) to telling his girlfriend he's trans, Sho shares and bares all, with humor, vulnerability, and awe-worthy honesty. "People who identify as queer ... their identity tends to be more fluid, and that may or may not have to do with the fact that once they identify with the queer community, you're exposed to more diverse types of people, and you become more educated in the different nuances of gender identity — It's not just about identifying as a man or a woman." - Sho MorikawaInstagram: @greatestshomanPhoto Cred: @graceful_captureswww.GetRawPodcast.orgResources from Sho for trans people and/or for trans allies:@translifeline (https://translifeline.org)@translawcenter (https://transgenderlawcenter.org) @getplume (https://getplume.co) @pinkmantaray (https://pinkmantaray.com) https://getrawpodcast.org/he-him-his/

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the course of the parent/child relationship never did run smooth. Why didn’t our Asian immigrant parents talk to us about their/our feelings? Was that because they didn’t love us, or were they just dealing with their own trauma?How many of you now, as parents, are grappling with how to raise kids – trying to uphold the values of your honored ancestors while teaching them empathy so they don’t grow up to be racist a-holes?Also – what do you do when your Asian kid comes home from school, asking you if they’re White? From acknowledging the strength of her parents who came to the US (literally by boat), to recognizing her own privilege, to raising a bevy of 3 children (all under the age of 7), superwoman Kristine very candidly shares her journey of parenting during a pandemic.Mentioned Links:www.instagram.com/asianlitforkids/www.instagram.com/asiansformentalhealth/ www.GetRawPodcast.org

Ever been called a Coconut 🥥 or a Banana 🍌?  No, not the yummy tropical fruit, but the racial slur. Reclaiming the pejorative word in her upcoming book "Coconut" is Nisha Patel - a self proclaimed queer, fat, femme, disabled poet laureate and artist of color. A poetry slam champion, poetry publishing house founder, writer in residence at a library, and prolific public performer, what really makes Nisha a badass is not her awe-inspiring array of accomplishments, but her clear sense of self, her strength in the face of asshat haters, and her indomitable spirit. From wrangling with racism, sexism, and ableism to just living as an artist with Asian immigrant parents, Nisha tackles it all - with uncompromising candor and inimitable style.Learn more at nishapatel.cawww.GetRawPodcast.org

We work out, we eat healthy, we go to the doctor when we don't feel well. Why don't we treat our minds and hearts with the same level of care? Why is mental health still not prioritized, especially amongst Asians, and why is there ANY negative stigma at all towards one of the BEST THINGS YOU CAN EVER DO FOR YOURSELF? Therapy: No Shame, All Gain. If listening to amazing mental help therapist Diana in this episode doesn't make you realize how AMAZING therapists can be, this podcast host will shave her head.Additional Resources from Diana at www.GetRawPodcast.org

PSA to all Asians: Did you know that dating outside your ethnicity can make you LESS Asian? We didn't either. Meet Alicia, a first-gen Vietnamese American, Master of Public Health student who struggles daily not to become "Less Vietnamese" as she dates someone Black.  SARCASM. You are not less of ANYTHING by dating outside your race. In this episode, Alicia shares the eternal joy of tolerating the opinions of relatives regarding one's dating life. Visit www.getRAWpodcast.org for more info!

News Flash! Your life is NOT over after a divorce (or two!) Also, not staying with the same human partner until you die does NOT make you a failure - no matter what your Asian family says. Thank goodness for Grace, a defiant, daring, and dating divorcée - listen and learn, and then love - however you damn well please.Visit www.getRAWpodcast.org for recommended content by Grace!

Imagine being a newly grad, arts focused young professional with immigrant parents who want you to be a doctor or lawyer (no joke) during the height of a global pandemic while living at home. How do we NOT let ourselves be defined by the external, cultural, familial, societal, and self applied pressures to 'succeed' in the job market? How do we stay motivated, creative, active - when it's honestly hard enough to just get out of bed?Also - we dish a bit about Bling Empire. Hate it or Love it, the reality show featuring Real Life 'Crazy Rich Asians' is a hot topic on the internets. Either way, Angela and I agree - support Asian (diverse) representation!Also - Watch HBO's Warrior.www.getRAWpodcast.org