Unapologetically Asian

We're joined by tattoo artists Thao Tran (@thao.tattoo) & Jen Nguyen (@tattsbyjen) who share their stories of resilience, vulnerability & badassery. We delve into the art of tattooing, tattoo culture in Asian communities and how Thao and Jen discovered themselves through ink, art and community.

In this chat, we discuss:

• Jen & Thao's tattoo origin story
• Conditioned to think job/money= success
• The tattoo apprenticeship experience
• First tattoo experiences
• Do tattoos need meaning behind it?
• First exp of tattooing clients
• Where does it hurt the most to be tatted?
• Hardest places to get tatted
• Correlation between art and tattooing
• Tattoo culture in asian countries
• Imposter syndrome
• Most exxy tattoos completed
• Numbing cream y/n?

and so much more!

UA is officially in our emotionally unavailable era (ok everyone except for Nicole). Join the UA fam (minus Anth) for a fun convo all about love and not love?

In this chat, we discuss:

• Taking a break
• Icks
• Green flags
• Sibling Theory
• Would we do long distance relationships?
• Our love languages
• Opinions on the 3 month rule
• Would we have a one-night stand?
• Would we get back with an ex?
• Are we open to dating right now?
• Do we rave - our raving experiences
• Melbourne vs. Sydney raves
• Dating in Asian households
• Do we have types?
• When does having "a type" become racist?
• Do girls settle in terms of looks vs. boys won't settle?

and more!

Melissa Leong is unapologetically Asian. She’s a powerhouse in the food industry and is one of the hosts and judges on Masterchef Australia. To add to her stellar resume, she's also a renowned food and travel writer, columnist, TV and radio broadcaster, MC and author. Whether it be on set or in the kitchen, she breathes defiance and voracity into everything that she does. In this conversation, we explore what it was like for her to grow up as a first gen Singaporean Australian, navigating the Asian diaspora experience and how food plays a core ingredient in her life.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Living with defiance and voracity
• Growing up Singaporean Australian
• Memories of food, family and childhood
• Food as an Asian love language
• Grieving loss of language
• East meets west: grappling with duality and cultural identity
• Masterchef & Asian Australian representation
• The long game
• Weight of Asian representation
• and more!

Please note: this conversation was recorded on the 28th April 2023.

We’ll be deep diving into the multifaceted world of mental health and exploring the cultural and generational nuances that impact us, as Asian Australians with our special guest - Dr Phoebe Lau. Dr Phoebe is a Clinical Psychologist and has has spent more than a decade in counselling, research, and clinical psychology. She is also the Director of ⁠⁠Inner Collective⁠⁠ and brings a wealth of knowledge into our discussion today.

*Disclaimer: my apologies that the audio isn't 100% perfect in this one. I hope you enjoy the convo regardless, because Dr Phoebe is extraordinary!

In this episode we discuss:

• Dr Phoebe Lau's upbringing and motivation to pursue psychology
• What is The Inner Collective?
• Common experiences of children of immigrant families
• Love languages in Asian households
• Filial piety
• Guilt and shame
• What is intergenerational trauma?
• How intergenerational trauma manifests physically and mentally?
• Cyclical coping mechanisms
• How does your intersectional identity affect your mental health?
• The bamboo ceiling
• Playing the 'white game' to get promotions
• Unconscious bias
• Q&A - UA community

We're stoked to be joined by the endearing Grant Perez aka Grentperez. Grant is a young, ultra-talented Filipino Australian singer & songwriter who oozes old soul vibes and quirky authenticity. He first took the world by storm on YouTube, singing and playing the guitar and has now garnered over 100 million views and 618K subscribers, 178K followers and 2.5M monthly Spotify listeners. Hot off the press, we're so excited that Grant has just released his EP - When We Were Younger. This EP is a collection of music each relating to figures of the past, whether it be in love, loss, families and friendship."  With the lethal combo of his superb talent, smooth voice, meme-y humour & infectious energy - it’s not hard to be a fan of Grant. In this episode we chat through his roots, inspirations and the importance of community in the music industry.

In this episode we discuss:

• Growing up as a Filipino-Australian
• The Motherland
• Childhood musical memories
• Grant Perez’ sound
• Authenticity in the music industry
• Sing you to sleep + ASMR
• David Attenborough impersonations
• Touring around the world
• Singing origin story
• Career highlights
• Importance of leaning into your roots
• Diversity in the creative industry
• What makes Grant Unapologetically Asian? & so much more!
• 
  

Ok google, play My Type - Saweetie. Your resident single baddies are back w/ part 2 of our convo where we talk about our adventures navigating the world of modern day dating.

In this chat, we discuss:

• What's our type - preferences
• Filters on the dating apps?
• Speed dating story
• Getting rejected
• Do we ghost people?
• The game
• Our ideal first dates
• Guys making the 1st move vs. girls
• Does the guy always have to pay?
• Hiking dates?
• Recommendations

Listen to your resident single pringles - Mai, John, Imdad & Tiana, as we share our stories navigating the oh-so fun world of dating, swiping right and cultural pressures to settle down. In this chat, we discuss:

• Swiping left/right
• Dating app icks
• First date icks
• Bad date stories
• Vibing with dates
• Asking for feedback after dates
• Dating introverts vs. extroverts
• Our dating criteria/check-list
• Dating expectations
• Cultural/societal pressures to find da one
• Arranged marriages/blind dates
• Can you learn to fall in love?
• Leftovers vs diamond bachelors

Get to know the Unapologetically Asian fam - Cylina, Robin, Nicole, Anthony & Tiana, as we talk all about growing up Asian in Australia, our fam/our own immigration stories and the impact of Asian representation in media. In this chat, we discuss:

• Who is the most tragic?
• Where we really came from?
• Our different immigration stories & childhoods
• Fave cartoon characters
• Why representation matters
• Authenticity on screen
• White Male Asian Female relationships
• Asian female fetishziation and Asian male emasculation
• Weight of Asian representation

UA Q&A:

• How to show up proud of Asian background in workplace
• How to make friends as adult
• Changing appearance to fit in
• Cultural bits to pass onto our future kids
• & so much more....

We're kicking off season 5, chatting candidly with the bubbly and down-to-earth Melody Cheng!

Melody Cheng is one of the hosts and co-founders of AsianBossGirl - a podcast(now turned media company) for the modern day Asian-American woman. ABG is undoubtedly one of the biggest and best success stories to come out of Asian media, globally!!! Bursting with creativity & passion and having experience working in production, leading social media and community growth, Mel has cemented herself as a true creative pioneer. Mel is also a proud Taiwanese-American, currently residing in LA and outside of work, she has a deep appreciation for Kdramas and food.

In this chat, we discuss:

• Growing up Asian in America
• Do ABGs/LGs still exist?
• Tech bros
• Kevin Nguyens
• Nightlife in American vs. Australia
• Dating scene in Australia vs. America
• Asian American Media and what's the secret sauce to their success
• Cultural and societal pressures to settle down
• Dating and career trajectory in 20s vs. 30s
• & so much more....

Thank you to our amazing sponsors - you can support them/us below: 🍨 ⁠⁠Scoopy Milk Bar:⁠⁠ Use code UA15 during checkout for 15% off their menu! 🍨 🥟 The Dumpling Company: Use code UADUMP for 1x pack of FREE Traditional Xiao Long Baos (30 pcs) 🥟 🧋 ⁠⁠Bubble Tea Club:⁠⁠ Use code UAPOD5 at checkout for 5% off their site! 🧋

Heya! It's Thuy here. No, this is not click bait, the title is sadly true :( After almost 3 years working on this podcast, recording 60 episodes and meeting a fkload of the most beautiful souls, it is time to say my goodbyes. I made the decision about a year ago to sunset my time at UA and now we're releasing my final episode as co-host! NGL, this kinda feels like a break-up 😂 However, I'll be leaving this poddy in Tiana's most capable hands. 

From the bottom of my usually icy heart, thank you. Over the years, your sweet messages and words of encourage have thawed that ice box and I've definitely grown and changed as a person because of the listeners and guests who have supported this podcast. 

Apparently this won't be the last of me!! I'll be back to make a guest appearance every now and then if Tiana will have me LOL but UA will always have a special place in my heart.

Sending absolute love and good vibes my dudes. Over and out ✌️

xx Thuy

E P I S O D E O U T L I N E

------------------------------------------

• Why Thuy's leaving
• What's next in store for UA?!
• Walking down memory lane - reminiscing the good times!
• The final check-in and our life updates

------------------------------------------

T I M E  S T A M P S

• 0:56 Intro to episode

------------------------------------------

When we were planning to create Unapologetically Asian a few years ago, we thought to ourselves 'who would be the GOLDEN PERSON to interview?’ Immediately we both said COMMUNITY CHANNEL. Fast forward two years, 1 campaign and 58 episodes later; we’re bloody proud to release this episode with the amazing Natalie Tran.

Natalie started uploading videos to YouTube back when people posted video ‘replies’ rather than comments…what??? Although she’s not as active on the YouTube any more, her videos remain #iconic in the Australian Internet landscape. From addressing everyday first world problems to travelling the globe with The Lonely Planet (pre-covid of course) and other avenues, Natalie has really paved the way for Australian Asians in media and a place in our hearts (lol lame but we luv u Nat).

E P I S O D E O U T L I N E

------------------------------------------

• Childhood and upbringing
• What's AZN and sticker photos?? - navigating through cultural differences
• Tackling racism as a kid vs. adulthood
• Embracing Australian identity and feeling Asian/not-Asian-enough
• Maggie noodles vs. Mi Goreng
  • Asian Food > EVERYTHING ELSE
  • Using language as a way to connect with culture
  • Nat's YouTube journey
  • Shifts in Asian representation in media
  • Being okay with playing the Diversity card
  • Going to the 'Secret Asian Meeting'?? 
  • Building the Asian Australian community. 

------------------------------------------

T I M E  S T A M P S

• 1:40 Intro to Natalie
• 2:38 Discussion begins

------------------------------------------

Find more about Natalie below:

She's a creative. She's an entrepreneur. She's a creative entrepreneur!

We have had the absolute delight of bring on board Diana Nguyen, winner of the 2020 "40 Under 40: Most Influential Asian-Australians Awards". She's a female comedian who has a wide remit of skills under her belt, with acting, writing and directing to name a few. Catch her on LinkedIn has a video content producer and on stage as she tours Australia with her latest show 'Chasing Keanu Reeves' in 2022. 

Putting aside her bubbly aura, we really deep dive into how Diana's Asian Australian experience has impacted her career and how family has affected her creative pursuits. The second half has us discussing the rollercoaster of a ride it took to get her Theatre and, now webseries, show called Phi and Me running and what it's like to be a LinkedIn famous influencer!

E P I S O D E O U T L I N E

------------------------------------------

• Chasing Keanu Reeves?!
• Asian Australian Childhood trauma
• Family and acting
• Raising $200,000 for a web series?! Bringing Phi and Me to life
• Becoming LinkedIn famous with #DancingDiana
• Harsh realities of being an Asian Australian in the creative industry.

------------------------------------------

T I M E  S T A M P S 

• 1:40 Intro to Diana
• 2:38 Discussion begins

------------------------------------------

Find more about Diana below:

Everybody give your ears to Australia's youngest majors in history and finest Asian Australian leaders in all the land - Madame Jasmine Nguyen & Your Worship, Anthony Tran!

At 23 and 24 years old, Anthony Tran (Mayor of Maribyrnong) and Jasmine Nguyen (Mayor of Brimbank) are breaking through the bamboo ceiling, paving a new road for young Asian Australians to speak up a little louder and stand a little taller in the political sphere. In a space that is traditionally regarded as "scary" and taboo, Anthony and Jasmine prove that being politically active is really approachable and just all about making tangible differences in our society.  

In this episode, we cover everything from their journey into politics to how they really are just normal 20 something year olds still navigating the realms of dating and clubbing. Get ready for roasts, loads of inspo & help us uncover whether we've elected a fkboi as a mayor or not 👀👀

You're in for a treat!

E P I S O D E O U T L I N E

------------------------------------------

• The road to being Australia's youngest mayors
• Shout-out to DILP - Dual Identity Leadership Program
• Household conversations around politics
• Cultural overlays of politics
• Being Asian Australian changemakers and leaders
• Can you still be a mayor and public figure AND let loose at D1 and Manchuria?
• What's the dating life of a mayor really like?
• Fave parts of being mayor
• MAKING POLITICS GREAT AGAIN

T I M E S T A M P S

--------------------------------

Find more about the mayors below:

Jasmine Nguyen

• https://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/cr-jasmine-nguyen-mayor 
• https://www.instagram.com/asiangirltalk/

Anthony Tran

• https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/About-us/Your-Councillors 

Thank you so much to our amazing sponsors!

Today, we're going to put the MEN in mental health 🤝

We're joined by the legends from Bottled Up - a podcast that aims to create conversations around men’s mental health and wellbeing! Tune in as Mayank Sohani & Sunny Bahugana bring the bants, knowledge and incredible insights to the table. We unpack the gendered and cultural nuances that underpin the conversations around mental health and learn about how we all can play a role in distigmitising it.

Buckle up everyone, you're in for a fun ride!

E P I S O D E O U T L I N E

------------------------------------------

• Bottled Up's Origin Story
• Mental Health from a male's perspective
• Language being used as a toolkit for communicating about Mental Health
• Gender based stereotypes in Mental Health
• Toxic masculinity and Asian cultural overlays
• Mental Health conversations growing up
• Intergenerational trauma and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
• Opening up to our parents??

T I M E S T A M P S

--------------------------------

00:38 Intro to Bottled Up

01:16 Welcome Mayank & Sunny and discussion begins

49:01 Recommendations

✨FOLLOW BOTTLED UP✨

It's time for a bit of a vibe check. We've covered heaps about relationships in this podcast so far, but in this episode, we really put our hearts on the table and chat about what's been going on in our own love lives 😳. 

So, what's the honeymoon phase 🥰? How real is it? How much can self-sabotage affect our relationships 💔? Tune in to hear us discuss the different stages of a relationships, lessons we've learnt and how we'll use to them to approach our relationships moving forward!

E P I S O D E O U T L I N E 

------------------------------------------

• Going through the honeymoon phase
• What an adult relationship consists of
• Pop culture and environmental affects on relationships
• What is self-sabotage?
• Is love a choice or a feeling?
• Conflict management
• Expressing emotions - girls vs. boys

T I M E S T A M P S 

-------------------------------- 

01:22 Intro to topic 

02:06 Discussion begins

Started from the bottom and now, they're out here, grinding & creating a $2 million bubble tea revolution!

After Jenny Le & Pamela Yip both lost their jobs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they discovered a sweet niche in the market for bubble tea that can be made in the comfort of your own home. Thus, The Bubble Tea Club was born - Australia's first DIY Bubble Tea Kit.

In this episode, we chat to the bubbly duo about the sugary parts - the sweet success, the chewy pearls - the challenges they encountered along the way and spill a bit of boba.. I mean tea along the way ;)

E P I S O D E O U T L I N E
------------------------------------------

• Ice-breakers
• How did BBT Club start?
• Research and development
• Funding/VC process
• Ingredients to success
• Importance of community
• Challenges of being an entrepreneur and creating a start-up
• Recommendations

Episode 48 sees a continuation of our amazing conversation with Remy Hii, an Asian Australian actor who has appeared in numerous amounts of well-known work, including (and not limited to) Marvel’s Spider-Man: Far From Home, Crazy Rich Asians and Marco Polo.

If you thought Pt.1 was a fun listen, then we can’t wait for you to dive into the second half of our interview with Remy! With a few name drops here and there *aheMTomHollandAhem* and an insight into how to make, what sounds like the most delicious creation on earth, a kimchi cheese toastie, this episode rounds off our interview with Remy and is bound to leave you feeling hungry but full of joy!

E P I S O D E O U T L I N E

------------------------------------------

• Pranks on Marvel’s Spiderman Set
• Behind the scenes of Crazy Rich Asians
• Arcane’s production and voice acting on the show
• Diversity on The Great and in Australian media
• Remy’s movie recommendations
• Remy’s love for food and his guiltiest snack creation
• Recommendations
  

T I M E S T A M P S

--------------------------------

00:25 Intro to Remy Hii Pt. 2

00:53 Discussion begins

Uh-oh. There's a 4 in the title of this episode! What's wrong with that, you may wonder? Well, according to Asian superstitions, the number 4 sounds eerily similar to the word 'death' in Chinese and Japanese and is hence considered a very unlucky number. In this episode, we dabble into the (in)auspicious world of Asian superstitions and the supernatural world where we uncover some of the beliefs we've grown up with or stumbled across in our lives. 

Did you grow up with any of the ones we've covered? Have a unique one that you solidly believe with all your heart and follow till this day? Please let us know! We'd love to learn about what other mysterious, confounding and spooky superstitions that exist out there.

E P I S O D E O U T L I N E

------------------------------------------

• Superstitions related to numbers
• Habits that might bring you bad luck...
• Supernatural superstitions
• Shamans and possession?!
• Recommendations
  

T I M E S T A M P S

--------------------------------

02:00 Intro to topic & discussion begins

24:20 Recommendations