Nuances: Our Asian Stories

Bonus: AAPIHM history, books, movies, music panel + Nuances celebrates 1 year!

What's the history behind AAPI heritage month? When did it start? Who were the first Asians to reach the Americas?
Find out in this episode!
The Nuances Podcast is now one year old! Two seasons and 25 nuanced conversations in, we're only just getting started. Host LAZOU shares some insight on the show's goals and reflects on the impact of the podcast.
For books, movies, events mentioned in the show, go to nuancespod.com to see this episode's show notes.
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Hosts: Lazou & Ariadne Mila
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S2 E15: Justine Osilla, winemaker, talks career choices, diversity in wine, and the best wines to pair with some of our favorite Asian dishes.

DESCRIPTION
Winemaker Justine Osilla walks us through the various career opportunities in wine, and how she is creating the support network and community of diverse wine professionals she wishes existed when she first started. If you've ever wondered what wine would pair well with sashimi, Vietnamese spring rolls, Mongolian beef, sinigang, adobo, or kare-kare, be sure to listen to the full episode.
GUEST BIO
Justine Osilla was raised by a traditional Filipino family that taught me their narrow definition of success—the one that implies you can only be happy, successful, and fulfilled if you’re a nurse, doctor, engineer, or lawyer. Little did they know, a different career would be calling for me.
As a daughter of a wine enthusiast, Justine frequently visited Napa and Paso Robles and started developing a palate at a young age. It was this interest that unanticipatedly turned into my career. My family thought wine was an unconventional path. “I’ve never seen a woman winemaker, let alone a Filipino winemaker,” her dad said. They came around because Justine was able to make them feel passionate by unashamedly sharing what she loves & being inclusive despite their doubts.
Justine has worked in the wine industry for over 6 years as a vineyard sugar tester, winemaking/harvest intern, hospitality, cellar worker, phenolics researcher, wholesale assistant, customer care representative, and social media marketing director. As Justine pursues her goal of having my own wine label this year, my mission is always to make wine education more accessible and advocate for women and diversity in wine.
Instagram
DEFINITIONS
PA: physician's assistant
Green card: U.S. permanent resident card.
Cisgender or cis: a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex registered for them at birth; not transgender.
TAKEAWAYS
There are so many careers out there, we do not need to pick one and stick with it for life.
There are many professional groups that are now bringing about much needed diversity in the wine industry, but there's still a long way to go.
Organizing and advocating for yourselves can be a great way to both find community and advance your careers together.
Don't be afraid to experiment with business models, such as co-ops, that are more employee friendly.
We don't need "greencard jobs" if we're already here.
PS: If you enjoy this episode, you might also like S1 E6.SUPPORT THE PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/nuances-podcast/support
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Hosts: Lazou & Ariadne Mila
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S2 E14: Nicolas Kee Mew on recognizing signs of dementia, the importance of planning, tips on choosing a care options, and how to support without infa...

GUEST BIO Nicolas Kee Mew is a Sino-Mauritian-British award-winning care home manager based in London. He was recently awarded the British Citizen Award Medal at the Palace of Westminster and has won several national dementia awards. When he is not taking care care of patients, he is raising awareness or fundraising for dementia research.. Instagram | Facebook DEFINITIONS Hakka: Chinese ethnic group, and language spoken by the group. A-levels: Standardized exams administered by Cambridge University (U.K.), similar to the Advanced Placement (AP) programs in the U.S. TAKEAWAYS Your high school grades are not the end all be all. Asking people what support looks like to them instead of taking over and telling them what to do is likely a more productive strategy. Dementia is a fatal illness that still has no cure. But it can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes. Recognizing early signs of dementia and seeking diagnosis is key in order to start treatment as soon as possible. There are two types of professional care to consider. Home care, and care (nursing/retirement) homes. SUPPORT THE PODCAST If you would like to buy me a coffee about once a month, you can make a small monthly donation: https://anchor.fm/nuances-podcast/support Don't worry, I don't need a fancy coffee - anything amount will be immensely appreciated. It will help offset the cost of consistently producing engaging, high-quality episodes for you to enjoy. And if you can't support right now, it's okay, don't feel bad! Still happy you're here. CONTACT Website | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn | Twitter Hosts: Lazou & Ariadne Mila
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S2 E13: Waddy Dacay on how he sold his mom on an art degree back in the 70s, how anthropology helped expand his worldview, and how he adapted to the d...

GUEST BIOWaddy Dacay is from the island of Kauai, Hawaii. He attended Kapiolani Community College on Oahu in 1973 then went to art school in 1976 in Oakland CA at California College of Arts and Crafts, now called California College of the Arts. He graduated BFA in 1978 and got a job in Palo Alto doing technical illustrations for two years. Then he took another position with Lockheed Martin as a technical illustrator and transitioned into 3D animation for 15 year, joined Electronic Arts in 1995 for another 15 years and finished his remaining 7 years at Bandai Namco Gaming as a Senior Marketing Artist..
Instagram | WebDEFINITIONSKokua: To cooperate and pitch in without regard for self and to have consideration for others.
Pidgin: A grammatically simplified means of communication that develops between two or more groups of people that do not have a language in common: typically, its vocabulary and grammar are limited and often drawn from several languages.
Creole: A mother tongue formed from the contact of two languages through an earlier pidgin stage.
May Day/ Lei Day: A statewide celebration in Hawaii that begins in the morning of May first every year and continues into the next day.TAKEAWAYSHaving a rare and highly sought after skillset can sometimes shield minorities from some workplace discrimination.
When in unfamiliar places, we tend to seek other people like us, who share our experiences.
Reacting defensively isn't the only way to assert and protect your own beliefs and sense of identity. Listening and understanding other viewpoints doesn't mean you agree with them. Arguing is not always productive. So engage with open ears and hearts, and pick your battles carefully.
Art is everywhere you look. Art isn't just fine arts.
Tech breakthroughs are always a challenge to navigate, but often, the only choice is to adapt like Waddy did. We are now at the cusp of a similarly far-reaching breakthrough with AI and ChatGPT. CONTACTInstagram | TikTok | Web | LinkedIn | TwitterHosts: Lazou & Ariadne Mila
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S2 E12: Rod Kim on why an Asian Bruce Springsteen is overdue, full circle moments with his parents & music, and reclaiming his youth. BONUS: see why h...

DESCRIPTION
Rod had every intention of following the traditional path and become an automotive engineer in Indiana. But he chose to follow his passion instead. We talk about breaking the news to his family, how his parents struggled to understand what being a professional musician really means, and how the BLM protests have inspired him to reclaim his youth and be more vocal about his experiences. We touch on Asian expectations and stereotypes, and why he thinks we're overdue for an Asian American Bruce Springsteen or a Japanese Country star. We also get a glimpse of how cool an uncle Rod is. This episode is brimming with full circle moments, fun anecdotes, and hope for the future.
GUEST BIO
Rod Kim is an American songwriter (and occasional actor) based in Los Angeles, CA. Some of his recent credits include the Philadelphia Phillies mascots' theme song, music for the official YouTube Audio Library, the end credit theme for "Pretty Outrageous" as well as music for the YouTube channels NerdSync, Yo Mama and many more.
In addition to songwriting and composing, Rod is a YouTuber who has collaborated with Ron Wasserman (Power Rangers, X-Men: The Animated Series), Michael and Patty Silversher (Disney's Talespin, Gummi Bears) and Ryan Elder (Rick and Morty).
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MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:
Youtube links:
Where are you really from?
Movies:
Big Fat Greek Wedding
Shang Chi
Encanto
Turning Red
Joy Luck Club
Crazy Rich Asians
Blinded by the Light
Get Out
TV:
Fresh Off The Boat
The Amber Ruffin Show
TAKEAWAYS
If it feels wrong for you, it might be.
Shortcomings are often fixable if you can leave your ego at the door.
It's not the milestones you hit, but the daily choices you make that define you in the end.
Two people can go through the same event but have different experiences.
Use your privilege for good.
Call out all the isms in your circles, because that's where you have the most influence.
Diversity needs to come from behind the camera, in writers rooms, all throughout the creative process in order to tell authentic, nuanced, relatable, and truly diverse stories.
Oppression isn't a contest. Help fix it for everyone instead of arguing about who is more oppressed.
CONTACT
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Hosts: Lazou & Ariadne Mila
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S2 E11: AIR APPARENT (Neil Sethi) on his kinship with Southerners, what California could learn from Georgia, using his music as a platform for change,...

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GUEST BIO
As AIR APPARENT, San Francisco-based artist and producer Neil Sethi makes exuberant electronic pop that invites both escapism and self-discovery. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Sethi grew up on Bollywood and Hindu spiritual music, early 2000s Atlanta rap, and explosive nu-metal. Since releasing his first tracks in 2017, the independent Indian American musician has swiftly gained buzz for his expansive take on EDM that draws from influences like James Blake, Mitski, Kaytranada, and Jai Wolf. After landing placements on Spotify’s Beats of Tomorrow playlist and making his live debut at last year’s Joy Ruckus Club 4 festival, Sethi released his debut album, Chromatic, in August 2022. On the ‘80s electronic-influenced project, Sethi captures the highs and lows of a romantic relationship and steps into a bolder, more colorful era of Air Apparent. .
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DEFINITIONS
BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, People of Color
AAPI: Asian American or Pacific Islander
Twitter Spaces: Live audio feature on Twitter
CS: Computer science
TAKEAWAYS
Children face racism as early as kindergarten.
Kids often forget about it but their parents remember. We saw this in Lisa's episode as well in S1 E4.
Moving to a more diverse neighborhood can mean lower tolerance for racism, and hence a much more enjoyable experience for kids.
While the American south may lack the nuanced understanding or interest in conversations about race, there is a genuine interest in engaging in a positive way.
Finding others who share our experiences in our field of interest, being inspired by each other, supporting each other, and growing together is a powerful way to grow.
CONTACT
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Hosts: Lazou & Ariadne Mila
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S2 E10: Jess Pillay on juggling multiple cultural identities as an Indo-Fijian-American, finding applicable career advice as a woman of color, and rec...

GUEST BIO
Jess Pillay is an Indo-Fijian-American independent singer/songwriter and podcaster from the Pacific Northwest. Growing up in Seattle with Indo-Fijian roots, she spent most of her life feeling like a cultural orphan, but music gave her a sense of identity and purpose. Now in her 30s, she's deeply passionate about racial and gender equity and always looks for ways to explore these subjects through her creative work. Her goal is to use her art to create community and to help others find their own voices. .
Instagram | Web
DEFINITIONS
Being Gaslit means being manipulated into questioning your own sanity using psychological methods. It comes from a 1944 movie called Gaslight.
DMs stands for direct message, which is the chat feature on instagram and other social media.
TAKEAWAYS
When religion and culture are so intertwined, joining a different religion can be seen as a rejection of your own culture and create family tension.
Seeing the very food that got you rejected as a kid be appropriated and become the latest trend is a jarring experience that many Asian Americans have experienced.
We’re more likely to create change in our own circles where we are already accepted and valued, and hence can have the most influence.
Consent is an important part of allyship because it ensures you’re not causing more pain to the people you are trying to help.
People’s advice reflects their privilege.
Valuing your religion does not mean you need to rely on it entirely for support. Religious communities often have good intent but are ill-equipped to help. Seek appropriate support from other channels.
Therapy and religion can go hand in hand and can actually help people who are going through a faith crisis reconnect with their faith in a more healthy way.
CONTACT
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Hosts: Lazou & Ariadne Mila
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S2 E09: Offering Rain on reclaiming their Ecuadorian and Indian roots as a mixed-raced multimedia artist, and the importance of early access to the ar...

GUEST BIO
Offering Rain is an NYC born and based multi-media artist and organizer working in the realms of audio, poetry, painting and design. They utilize their artistic practice in hopes of refreshing the earth like rain through multicultural sound and poetic lyricism. Their previous work has been exhibited at Art on the Ave NYC, Soho House, Knockdown Center and Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance. As a DJ, they have worked in collaboration with HBO Max, mutual.love, Kajal Magazine and their music has been featured on Euphoria, Genera+ion and Walker..
Instagram | TikTok | Web
DEFINITIONS
Desi: someone who comes from or whose family comes from India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh but who lives in another country
Masking: hiding your authentic self in an effort to gain greater social acceptance.
Code switching
LGBTQIA+
Queer
TAKEAWAYS
Hollywood's caricatures of Indian people created negative stereotypes that cause many Desi kids to be bullied and shamed for their ethnicity.
Surrounding ourselves with a supportive community is key to reclaiming our whole identities and finding happiness.
Mixed-race kids need the adults in their lives to claim them fully, but also to celebrate their mixed identity by showing interest in the other
Events celebrating our ethnicities could also do the same to be more inclusive and welcoming to mixed-race members.
Music and art are vehicles of connection. They often are the first experience of representation for people who have felt different their whole life.
The arts would be more diverse if more people had access and exposure at a young age. Increasing access to creative tools and spaces is key to
Although they received little media attention, there are many diaspora artists that have been paving the way for decades.
Feed the fire in you, fan your own flames, people will catch on eventually.
CONTACT
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Hosts: Lazou & Ariadne Mila
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S2 E8: Judy Leia on using music to process the trauma of surviving war, becoming disillusioned after signing with a label, then falling in love with m...

GUEST BIO
Judy Leia is a Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter creating cinematic darkpop that blends her ethereal, sultry vocals with a hybrid production of orchestral and electronic elements. Her unique sound can be described as: "Lana Del Rey meets Hans Zimmer in a dystopian film. She began learning piano at age 5 and wrote her first song at age 11 to process the gravity of surviving war. This experience often informs the haunting melodies and somber lyrics in her songs. She enjoys finding inspiration in film scores and her favorite composers include Ramin Djawadi, Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Max Richter, and Pasek & Paul. Ever passionate and curious, Judy Leia is currently in the studio creating more songs.
Instagram | Web
DEFINITIONS
Dammam is the fifth-most populous city in Saudi Arabia.
PC: politically correct
Sync: refers to synchronizing music to another medium, such as a movie, or a game.
TAKEAWAYS
We often fear bringing shame to our community more than we fear failing.
If a cultural food isn't for you, you can respectfully decline without being judgmental of people who enjoy it.
Age brings self awareness, which itself brings out more authentic art.
Self love and acceptance help us distinguish between useful feedback and well-meaning opinions that are irrelevant to our artistic vision.
People giving feedback aren't always good at articulating their thoughts. Take it with a grain of salt.
There's a difference between tweaking your art reach more people and creating your artistic identity around viral trends. The latter is not sustainable.
If you have a less common name, it might be a good idea to tell people how to pronounce it on your website.
CONTACT
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Hosts: Lazou & Ariadne Mila
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S2 E7 - Darrel J. Delfin on being a Filipino-American actor, working with his childhood heroes, and finding his niche in voiceover.

GUEST BIO
Darrel J Delfin is a 30 year-old Filipino American actor based in Los Angeles, California. He is Kaede in Fena: Pirate Princess, Kazuma Arashiba in Scar on the Praeter, Legatus Laendur & Legate Pumpkee in the Fallen Legion series, General Geshtar in Secret of Mana, and Emilio Baretti in Lupin III vs Detective Conan: THE MOVIE. He has provided voices for shows like Sword Art Online, Hortensia Saga, Kill la Kill, Beyblade Burst Rise, Dragon Ball Super, and many more. He is also a regular cast member and lead stunt coordinator of the "We The Geeks of East LA" YouTube Channel.
Instagram | Twitter
DEFINITIONS
Bisaya also known as Binisaya or Cebuano is a language spoken in the southern Philippines and counts 22 million speakers.
Ilokano - is also a language spoken in the Philippines. It is the third most-spoken native language in the country, with 8.1 million speakers.
TAKEAWAYS
We often need a cheerleader before giving ourselves permission to dream big.
The diaspora experience of a culture is often less nuanced, reductive. For many of us our only connection is food.
Weird is relative. Asians aren’t objectively weird. Only relative to whiteness.
We often only start to appreciate our culture in adulthood, when there’s less pressure to fit in
Many of us regret not learning our culture’s language.
The pandemic has made hiring remote talent the norm, and has raised the bar when it comes to accurate media representation of our cultures.
CONTACT
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Host: Sherry-Lynn Lee & Ariadne Mila
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