Shows
Brazn AznEp 29: Kaila Yu on Yellow Fever, Fetishization, and BeautyAuthor Kaila Yu Discusses Her Debut Memoir 'Fetishized' and Asian American FeminismIn this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia Duan, have a compelling conversation with author and cultural writer Kaila Yu about her debut memoir Fetishized: a Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty." Kaila shares her experiences navigating the fetishization of Asian women, the slow yet collaborative process of writing her memoir, her journey towards self-love and sobriety, and the transformations in Asian representation in media. Kaila's memoir is a deeply personal narrative interspersed with essays on various themes...
2025-08-2045 min
Brazn AznEp 28: Does Guanyin Pusa Know Anthony Ma, Asian Jim Carrey?In this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia Duan are joined by award-winning actor, writer, director, producer, and voiceover artist Anthony Ma. Anthony discusses his new short film "God and Buddha Are Friends," which is inspired by a childhood experience. - The Story Behind the Film- Big Mom Energy- Creating an Authentic 90s Experience- Balancing Accuracy and Storytelling- The Evolution of Asian American Roles in Hollywood- Challenges and Progress in the IndustryFollow...
2025-05-0148 min
Brazn AznEp 27: Getting Cheeky With Romance Writer Thien-Kim LamJoin hosts Stella and Virginia as they chat with author Thien-Kim Lam about her latest novel "Something Cheeky" and explore:- The evolution of Asian American representation in romance literature- Writing authentic, diverse characters and relationships- Balancing cultural specificity with universal themes- The importance of found family and community in storytelling- Challenging stereotypes and creating sex-positive narrativesFollow Thien-Kim Lam at https://thienkimlam.comSocials: @msthienkim
2025-04-2348 min
Brazn AznEp 26: Confessions of Brazen Asians Playing It SafeIn this episode of Brazn Azn, hosts Stella and Virginia dive deep into the complex world of risk-taking, exploring their personal experiences with calculated caution and unexpected leaps of faith. From early marriage to career choices and parenthood, they unpack the nuanced ways we define and navigate risk in our lives.-Early marriage and its financial implications-Pregnancy is a huge risk and not health neutral-ADHD and impulsivity vs. calculated decision-making-The myth of the risk-averse eldest child-Balancing stability and adventure in relationships and...
2025-04-0245 min
Brazn AznEp 25: Ezra Justin Lee, 6 Feet, Pastor's KidIn this episode of Brazn Azn, hosts Stella and Virginia welcome rising Korean American actor Ezra Justin Lee, who shares his transformative journey from growing up as a pastor's kid to finding his authentic self in Hollywood. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of reconciling cultural heritage, family expectations, and personal ambition in the entertainment industry. - Short film "Pastor's Kid"- Not demonizing our fathers- Authentic Asian representation in media- Differing beauty standards- Self-love and self-acceptance
2025-03-1247 min
Brazn AznEp 24: Between Belief and BS: Navigating Spirituality After ChurchOn this episode of Brazn Azn, co-hosts Stella and Virginia have an intimate conversation about their personal journeys with religion and spirituality, exploring how they've moved away from traditional Christian faith while still grappling with big existential questions. It's a raw, honest exploration of leaving organized religion while still wrestling with fundamental questions about meaning, community, and the possibility of something beyond our immediate perception.- Personal faith journeys- Spirituality vs. religion- Purpose of prayer- Collective human experience
2025-03-0546 min
Brazn AznEp 23: No Sheet Music Required: GKO's Unscripted JourneyIn this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia Duan chat with improvisational pianist GKO about his unexpected path from tech to becoming a full-time musician. GKO shares his journey of discovering a sudden ability to improvise during the pandemic, building an independent music career, and breaking away from traditional Asian American narratives.Key Topics:- The Magic of Musical Improvisation- Navigating Life as an Independent Artist- The Current State of the Music Industry- Breaking Free from Asian American Stereotypes
2025-02-2648 min
Brazn AznEp 22: Living With the Land: a Conversation With Olivia Hu KinneyIn this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia Duan sit down with poet Ophelia Hu Kinney. Ophelia shares her experiences of moving to Maine, co-owning 20 acres of land, and building a community as a queer Asian American. The discussion explores themes of change, the importance of community, the interaction of Asianness in predominantly white settings, and the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. - Tending the Land and Community- Navigating Small Town Conservatism- Family and Community Connections- Lessons from the Land...
2025-02-1945 min
Brazn AznEp 21: Brazenly Anti-EvangelicalIn this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia delve into the nuances of religious language, including the use of the word 'blessings,' and discuss their experiences deconstructing Christianity. They also cover moral authority, the violence of missionary work, and how they're raising their kids outside of the church.- Is the word "blessing" offensive- Navigating Religious Trauma and Inclusivity- Deconstructing Faith and Leaving the Church- Cultural Identity and Religious Conversion- Moral Authority and Relativism...
2025-02-1349 min
Brazn AznEp 20: "The Magic of Knowing What You Want" With Tracey GeeIn this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia Duan chat with Tracey Gee, certified leadership coach, consultant, and author of "The Magic of Knowing What You Want." They explore why desires are good, how pursuing individual desires can contribute to social good, and how our desires are magic.
- The process of writing about our desires
- Validating Desires and Overcoming Barriers
- The Magic in the Process
- The Vulnerability of Desires
2025-01-2949 min
Brazn AznEp 19: Feeling StuckIn this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia discuss the complexities of parenting at different stages, career ambitions, and personal growth. They also explore the broader themes of vulnerability, dissatisfaction, and the brazenness to pursue personal dreams in the face of societal expectations.
- Navigating Life's Transitional Phases
- Feeling Stuck and Behind
- Vulnerability of Pursuing Dreams
- Societal Expectations and Gender Roles
- Coping Mechanisms and Personal Growth
2025-01-2935 min
Brazn AznEp 18: Chaos: The Brazn Azn Season One FinaleIn the season finale of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia reflect on their personal and professional achievements over the past year, discussing Virginia's new book release, the highlights of their podcast journey, and their struggles with executive functioning and balancing family life. They also delve into their favorite music, books, and TV shows of the year, providing a candid and chaotic wrap-up to their inaugural podcast season.
- Reflecting on 2024 and Season One
- Podcasting Journey
-Favorite Albums of the Year
-Books, TV Shows, and Games We Loved This Year
2024-12-041h 00
Brazn AznEp 17: What the Muffin? Election Night FeelingsIn this special election edition of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia Duan dissect the recent U.S. election results and their personal reactions. They explore themes of political polarization, systemic oppression, and the role of community in driving social change. The discussion touches on collective grief, the struggle for progress amidst adversity, and practical steps for building resilient communities. Alongside political analysis, they emphasize the importance of joy and representation, providing a reflective commentary on the state of American democracy.
- Election Fatigue and Post-Election Reactions
- Historical Context
- Moving Forward
2024-11-0752 min
Brazn AznEp 16: Ellie Yang Camp: On Writing Anti-racist "Louder Than the Lies"In this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, Virginia and Stella continue their conversation with Ellie Yang Camp, an anti-racist educator and author of "Louder Than the Lies." They delve into Ellie's writing process, the challenges she faced, and the importance of anti-racist education for the Asian American community.
- Crafting 'Louder than the Lies'
- Personal Growth and Overcoming Doubts
- Addressing Anti-Blackness
- Balancing Sensitivity and Education
- Complexities of Asian American Identity
- Survival and Systemic Barriers
- The Four Pillars of White Supremacy
- Inclusivity and Representation
2024-10-3046 min
Brazn AznEp 15: Getting LOUD with Anti-racist Educator Ellie Yang CampIn this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, Stella and Virginia interview anti-racist educator Ellie Yang Camp to discuss her new book, “Louder Than the Lies: Asian American Identity, Solidarity, and Self-Love.” They explore themes from Camp's book and the importance of accessible education on race, emphasizing compassion, self-care, and the varied experiences within the Asian American community.
- Challenges in Discussing Race
- The Importance of Self-Love and Compassion
- Addressing Trauma in Asian American History
- Creating a Safe Space for Asian Americans
- Centering Asian American Voices
- Understanding Systemic Harm and Privilege
- The...
2024-10-1643 min
Brazn AznEp 14: Mother Lands and Mother TonguesIn this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia explore their complex feelings about their motherlands and mother tongues. Virginia shares her experiences of taking her family to Taiwan every summer to immerse her children in Mandarin Chinese and discusses the challenges and benefits of bilingual homeschooling. The hosts also reflect on their personal connections to their ancestral homelands, the importance of cultural identity, and the nuances of being Asian American. The discussion extends to the broader implications of cultural heritage, community, and identity formation.
- Challenges and Benefits of Bilingualism
2024-09-1845 min
Nuances: Our Asian Stories6. The West: Savior or Demonizer? - Part 1Nuances podcast about Our Asian Stories. Each episode explores different aspects of sexual diversity in premodern Asia with commentary from guest scholars. Episodes are divided into a narrative portion, and a discussion with a guest co-host from the queer Asian community.
Introduction & content warnings
Why is this series focusing on premodern Asia?
The West isn't the only imperial power
From the Silk Road to the Age of Exploration
British colonization of India, Section 377 & vagrancy Laws
Premodern Chinese law about sexual crimes (w. Prof. CunCun Wu)
Portuguese vs British India (w. Prof. Anjali Arondekar)
Spanish colonization of the Philippines
Fr...
2024-09-081h 18
Brazn AznEp 13: The Boon and Bane of HallyuIn this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, Stella and Virginia delve into the Hallyu wave, exploring its origins, influence on global pop culture, and the nuanced feelings it generates within the Asian American community. They discuss the rise of Korean pop culture, the interplay between personal and cultural identity, and the implications of this soft power.
-The Rise of Korean Pop Culture
-The Impact of Hallyu on Asian American Identity
-Navigating Stereotypes and Fetishization
-Cultural Commodification and Representation
-Challenges of Representation
2024-09-0445 min
Brazn AznEp 12: Creating Generational JoyIn this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia share insights into their parenting styles, experiences, and challenges. They discuss homeschooling, breaking generational curses, and fostering open communication and emotional intelligence in their children. They also reflect on their own upbringings, the impact of their parents' parenting methods, and how these experiences shape their current approach to raising their kids. The conversation delves into topics like setting expectations, allowing room for mistakes, and preparing children for adulthood.
-Reflecting on Our Own Upbringing
-Parenting Styles: Benign Neglect vs. Hippie Dippie
2024-08-2149 min
Brazn AznEp 11: Has Hate Ever Changed Your Opinion?In this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia discuss the complexities of changing one's mind and influencing others' opinions. They reflect on their personal journeys of evolving opinions, influenced by empathy, fiction, and rigorous inquiry. The conversation covers the challenges of progressive movements, the effects of evangelical background on current beliefs, and the intersection of personal values with public discourse. They emphasize the importance of empathy and shared human experiences in fostering meaningful change.
-Navigating Social Media and Opinions
-The Challenge of Changing Minds
-The Role...
2024-08-0746 min
Brazn AznEp 10: Shamelessly Flaunting Our StrengthsIn this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia discuss the discomfort many feel around acknowledging their strengths. They delve into cultural and personal reasons behind this unease, the fear of being perceived as boastful, and the impact of societal norms. Through a candid and humorous exchange, they find ways to celebrate their own and each other's strengths, touching on themes of self-acceptance, cultural humility, and the importance of having a supportive community.
-The Discomfort of Stating Our Strengths
-Navigating Perceptions and Fears
-Recognizing and Owning Our Strengths
...
2024-07-2439 min
Brazn AznEp 09: Navigating Fear and Its ImpactIn this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia Duan dive deep into the topic of fear and its impact on their lives. Virginia shares her personal fears related to parenting, driving over bridges, and the trauma from reading news stories. Stella discusses her fears around missed potential and self-perception. Both co-hosts reflect on how fear has influenced their decisions, particularly in homeschooling and parenting, and the coping mechanisms they use to manage their anxieties. Their candid and vulnerable conversation navigates through the complexities of fear, parenting, and personal growth.
Content...
2024-07-1042 min
Brazn AznEp 08: Uncovering Queer Histories: A Conversation with LazouIn this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia, interview their special guest, Lazou. Lazou is a multi-hyphenate producer, writer, podcaster, artist, singer, songwriter, and musician, Her podcast, Nuances, is about the Asian diaspora at the intersection of career, culture, and community. The conversation revolves around her podcast’s new season: Queering Premodern Asia. Lazou discusses why she started this series, her challenges while researching, her findings, as well as provides background for her podcast and Asian American identity.
-Queer Asian History
-Pinkwashing
-Colonial Homophobia
-His...
2024-06-2641 min
Brazn AznEp 07: Taking Up Space
In this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia, introduce their special guest, Serena Cerezo Poon. Serena, a queer Asian American woman working in finance and founder of the startup Prism, shares her poignant journey of coming out, facing family rejection, and ultimately finding acceptance. The conversation delves into the challenges Serena faced, including spiritual abuse and conservative upbringing, and how she managed to reconcile her identity with her family relationships over time. Serena highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for marginalized communities, inspired by her own experiences growing up in conflicting cultural environments. The...
2024-06-1249 minBrazn AznEp 06: Asian MasculinityIn this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia Duan discuss the complexities and nuances of Asian masculinity. They address qualifications to talk about the topic, how non-masculine traits are perceived in Asian culture versus Western culture, and the intersection of racism, patriarchy, and masculinity. Additionally, they explore personal anecdotes, the influence of K-pop and K-dramas, and the importance of inclusivity for various groups within the Asian community.
- Asian Masculinity
- Impact of Misogyny on Masculinity
- Raising Asian Boys
- Western vs Asian Masc...
2024-05-2944 minBrazn AznEp 05: Representation Will Not Save UsIn this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia explore the nuanced discussions around representation, identity, and societal norms. They delve into the complexities of Asian American experiences, questioning the depth and authenticity of representation in media and culture. The conversation covers topics from respectability politics to systemic change, and the importance of embracing all aspects of identity. Through a candid discussion, they challenge the need for broader narratives that move beyond traditional stereotypes, emphasizing liberation and inclusion for all.
- Understanding Representation and Its Limits
- Why Traditional Na...
2024-05-1545 minBrazn AznEp 04: Unraveling the Layers of RepresentAsianIn this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia delve into the multifaceted concept of representation, discussing its complexities, the nuanced layers of identity, and the often oversimplified solutions to systemic issues. They explore personal and cultural narratives around being Asian American, touching on aspects of motherhood, invisibility, and the desire for more complex depictions of Asian characters in media. The episode critically examines the progression from mere visibility to meaningful representation, highlighting insightful examples from pop culture and literature.
-The Complicated Nature of Representation
-Navigating the Levels of R...
2024-05-0245 minBrazn AznEp 03: The Brazen Desire to Be PerceivedIn this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia engage in a candid conversation about the nuances of being perceived in both digital and physical spaces. They explore their personal experiences with identity, the Asian American experience, and the conflicts and comforts of visibility. From the complexities of online perception to the challenges of existing as queer, neurodivergent, and Asian in a predominantly white society, this episode dives deep into what it means to be seen and how we navigate the space between visibility and invisibility. Join them as they reflect on their own perceptions, share...
2024-05-0246 minBrazn AznEp 02: Full-Body Cringe and the Brazenness of Self-PromoIn this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, hosts Stella and Virginia delve into the intricacies of promoting and sharing personal art, and exploring Virginia's debut novel, 'Illusive.' The conversation covers a broad range of topics including the vulnerability in self-promotion, the challenges of dealing with stereotypes, and the journey from concept to self-publishing. Through candid and heartfelt discussion, the show navigates the complexities of Asian American identity, personal aspirations, and the nuanced reality of becoming a published author.
- Virginia's Debut Novel: Illusive
-The Struggle with Self-Promotion and Stereotypes
...
2024-05-0143 minBrazn AznEp 01: What's a "Brazen Asian," Anyway?In the inaugural episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, hosts Virginia Duan and Stella embark on a journey to explore the identity, representation, and the multifaceted experiences of being a brazen Asian. From the origins of the podcast's name to confronting stereotypes and embracing the resistance in existence, this episode dives into personal anecdotes, the evolution of Asian American identity, and the power of existing as an act of defiance in a world that often tries to box in Asian women. Join Virginia and Stella as they navigate the complexities of representation, challenge the status quo, and celebrate the...
2024-05-0139 min