Asian in Aotearoa

In this episode, Shamin Yazdani and Jefferson Chen chat creativity, community, artistic integrity, and personal growth. They reflect on belonging, the spaces between disciplines, what inspires their work, how they're navigating wellbeing, purpose, spirituality and more! About Shamin:Shamin Yazdani is an Iranian-born creative producer, filmmaker and multidisciplinary creator whose work centres...

Nathan Joe returns to the podcast in conversation with Nahyeon Lee. They’ve been described as “filmmakers, theatre-makers and sometimes collaborators” and here they catch up on where they’re at creatively, their hot-takes on community, what they’re dreaming of next, spirituality and more. About Nahyeon: Nahyeon is a writer, director and theatre producer of Korean descent based in Tāmaki Makaurau,...

Tanya Barlow and Jenna Wee first had a chat on Asian in Aotearoa way back in 2020. Now, they’re reunited to kick off the new (and filmed) Season 4 of the podcast. They reflect on where they’re at in terms of creativity, community and a bunch more. About Tanya: Tanya is a nail artist, voiceover artist, former make up artist, podcaster, content creator, and all round creative and multi-disciplinary...

Elina Ashimbayeva (Storyo) joins Jenna from Joshua Tree for a catch-up about politics. Asian in Aotearoa: After Hours with Storyo is a limited mini-series where two creator friends talk about love, desire, money, class, politics and power — the things we message friends about, joke about, avoid and obsess over. Anti-polished/pro-discomfort etc. Expect oversharing (not advice).  Thank you to our fr...

⚠️ Money triggers ahead! Jenna is joined by Elina Ashimbayeva (Storyo) to answer questions, discuss topics and share hot-takes all about MONEY. Asian in Aotearoa: After Hours with Storyo is a limited mini-series where two creator friends talk about love, desire, money, class, politics and power — the things we message friends about, joke about, avoid and obsess over. Anti-polished/pro-discomfort e...

⚠️ This episode gets spicy, with discussions about love, desire, sex, body stuff and other sensitive topics. Listen with care and/or headphones.  Jenna is joined by Elina Ashimbayeva (Storyo) to answer questions, discuss topics and share hot-takes surrounding love, desire, dating and more. ❤️‍🔥 Asian in Aotearoa: After Hours with Storyo is a limited mini-series where two creator friends talk abou...

Amanda (梁宿娴) from Episode 1 is back! Here, Jenna and Amanda are reflecting, manifesting, laughing and celebrating five years of Asian in Aotearoa and their friendship. Follow Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/amandagraceleo  https://www.instagram.com/graceandtarot We mention Tanya Barlow from Episode 2 and her podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@hellotanyapod  Asian in Aotearoa is hosted by Jenna...

This episode wraps up season three! Marc Conaco is a Bisaya illustrator, designer, curator and producer of Asian in Aotearoa. Here, we dive into the six-month rollercoaster ride of podcast production, handling the guest lineup, schedule conflicts, and general chaos while also answering some questions sent in from past guests. Follow @marcconaco Fill out the season three feedback survey, HERE . ⁠As...

Swap Gomez is a multi-faceted creative - a professional drummer, director, producer, editor and events coordinator. He has toured and recorded around the world with international artists, he runs and curates the annual Drummers Day Out and currently performs with CHAII, Yoko Zuna and The Delivery Boyz. In this episode we hear about Swap’s creative projects, his birth chart (very heavy on Aries), l...

Zed Xu 榛子瞬 is a multidisciplinary artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau, originally from China. Zed's artistic practice spans painting, performance art, and filmmaking, driven by their experience as a non-binary, queer, neurodivergent Asian migrant. Zed is yet another guest with a vipassana experience to share (!!) and we also delve into where they’re at in their creative evolution. Spoiler: it&#...

In celebration of Lunar New Year and Pride month,  Asian in Aotearoa  returns to the stage for a special Year of the Snake panel and podcast recording. Recorded at Auckland Art Gallery, host Jenna Wee sits down with an all-Queer panel reflecting on their creative process, inspiration, growth – and what Year of the Snake might look like for them. Meet the Panel: Steven Junil Park 박준일  (he/they):...

A former dancer with the prestigious Royal New Zealand Ballet during the 2010s, William started making stage costumes and today he’s currently at Whitecliffe studying Sustainable Fashion. Here, William opens up about his creative journey, including having dreams fall apart, ghosting friends and finding his way back to dance. Keep an eye out for his own label Jung-Ying: @__jungying ⁠Asian in Aotear...

Jenny Gao is a documentary maker and writer, deeply immersed in human relationships and spirituality. Here she shares where she's at creatively, along with Vipassana insights, psychic insights, and working outside conventional creative fields to nurture inspiration. We pull some cards, have a laugh and discuss spontaneity, adventure, and playfulness in life and creative pursuits. Follow Jenny on I...

Pulkit Arora is a writer-director of Indian origin, now based in Tāmaki Makaurau. His debut short Milk Toffee premiered at Tribeca and travelled through 8 other international festivals in 2021. His follow-up film Anu won the Audience Award at Whānau Mārama: NZIFF 2023, followed by screening in competition at Melbourne International Film Festival and winning at IFFLA, Cornwall and Film Bazaar India...

Fazerdaze, otherwise known as Amelia Murray, is an Indonesian-Pākehā artist, musician, and creative force - currently based in Ōtautahi. Her new album ‘Soft Power’ marks an evolution in her artistry and here we touch on Amelia’s creative process, spirituality, courage and so much more. This episode gives listeners insight into how Amelia sees the world, and the way she chooses to move through it....

Jennifer Cheuk is a mixed Hong Kong Chinese / Welsh indie publisher, researcher and curator. She’s the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Rat World Magazine - an independent print magazine and collective that’s all about showcasing underground and underrepresented voices from all over the world. In this episode, Jennifer reflects on the last 12 months including her landmark anthology (see below!) plus...

Originally from Korea, Sung Hwan moved to Aotearoa at the age of ten. His artistic journey explores themes of identity, protection, and queer identity. In this episode, he reflects on the courage needed to create amidst uncertainty and how serving in Korea's military has influenced his life and art. From navigating challenges and critiques to resilience and insights on self-compassion - learn more...

Julie Zhu is an award-winning director, producer, and storyteller born in Xian, China, and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau. Committed to championing marginalised voices and stories, Julie co-directed the podcast and docu-series Conversations With My Immigrant Parents for RNZ. She also directed observational documentary series Takeout Kids for The Spinoff, winning Best Director at NZ WebFest 2022. Here,...

In our final episode of this season, Jenna is joined by creative community champion, returning guest and founder of Aunty’s House, Amita Kala. An episode of introspection, Jenna and Amita reflect on season 2, answer questions from recent guests and discuss creative processes, grind culture and the importance of rest. Instagram: @amitakala Check out @auntysh0use ___ SUBSCRIBE to the newsletter: ⁠ a...

Ankita Singh अंकिता सिंह shares her journey from producing to writing and having the courage to create. This episode delves into Ankita's experience writing “Basmati Bitch”, the ever-looming ‘burden of representation’, and the state of the creative community today. Ankita also shares her recent quest exploring her family history in India, digging up inspiration for her next play, and exploring oth...

In this episode, Jenna sits down with 이혜지 Hye Ji (Erica) Lee - a Korean-born sociologist and writer, who opens up about her journey and the ideas that shape her world. This episode delves into relationships, personal growth, decoloniality, academia, and Erica's own candid reflections relating to aspirations, self-compassion and spirituality. https://instagram.com/ehyeji.ig SUBSCRIBE to the n...

Recorded at the recent Year of the Dragon Lunar New Year & Pride month event, Jenna sits down with four brilliant Asian, queer creatives. Covering themes from success and courage to reinvention and self-expression, the panelists reflect on their journeys and look to the future. The panel shares insights on how embracing their heritage and ancestry has enriched their sense of identity and fuelled t...

Tāmaki Makaurau-based, award-winning comedian, David Correos, talks to Jenna about the lengths of his creativity, being a Taskmaster favourite, and leadership in the comedy world. He also opens up a bit about his love life, risk-taking, fame, friendships and heaps more. Catch David on tour, HERE . Follow David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidpostoffice TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@...

Abbey a.k.a DJ RNG+SUS joins Jenna to talk about everything from exciting things happening this month for Pride, co-creating and fostering safe spaces with All My Friends, and navigating Queer and POC identity through their creative practice. Abbey also provides Jenna event-producing advice, as well as insight into why it might be time to take a step back from their intense schedule to prioritise...

Hailing from Manawatū and based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Jess Hong sits down with Jenna and talks about her growth and the whirlwind of filming Netflix’s upcoming show, 3 Body Problem, and grounding herself in finding community and being at home in Aotearoa. They both delve into defining what purpose means to them and where their pursuits have spontaneously taken them. Follow @jessthehong on Instagram...