A podcast exploring identity, mental health, culture, faith, and human stories from the in-between.

Stay tuned for the upcoming Q&A with your host, Min LeeAsk anything! Go ahead!!Full Q&A episode coming this Saturday! Preview

기러기 가족의 둘째 딸로 1994년 미국에 온 최유정은, 미국에서 자라며 서구적인 사고방식을 갖게 되었지만 여전히 마음속엔 한국인의 정서를 간직한 “1.75세”입니다. 15년간 와인 회사에서 회계 업무를 하다 팬데믹을 계기로 교육 비영리 분야로 커리어 전환, 현재는 파이낸스 전문가로 일하는 동시에 한 아들의 엄마로 살아가고 있습니다.이번 에피소드에서는 유정이 지난 16년간 청소년 기독교 컨퍼런스를 통해 한국계 미국 청...

Ownkyeong Lee is a psychologist and learning scientist (M.Sc.) pursuing her PhD with a research focus on multilingualism and identity. As a mother of two raising her children in Germany—navigating three nationalities and four first languages—she brings both personal and academic depth to the conversation on multilingual, multicultural family life. To support families with Asian heritage and beyond...

기러기 가족의 둘째 딸로 1994년 미국에 온 최유정은, 미국에서 자라며 서구적인 사고방식을 갖게 되었지만 여전히 마음속엔 한국인의 정서를 간직한 “1.75세”입니다. 15년간 와인 회사에서 회계 업무를 하다 팬데믹을 계기로 교육 비영리 분야로 커리어 전환, 현재는 파이낸스 전문가로 일하는 동시에 한 아들의 엄마로 살아가고 있습니다.이번 에피소드에서는 유정이 지난 16년간 청소년 기독교 컨퍼런스를 통해 한국계 미국 청...

What does it mean to be heard without being seen? In this episode of Take 1.5, we sit down with Alex 현지 Wang, a Korean-American foley artist who shapes the emotional undercurrent of shows like Severance, Godfather of Harlem Season 4, Emily in Paris, and many more. Her work lives in the details—the creak of a chair, the echo of footsteps—sounds that make a scene feel real but often go unnoticed....

In this heartfelt episode of Take 1.5, we sit down with Heejin and Jimmi from Love After Divorce Season 4 to talk about what life has looked like after the cameras stopped rolling. From their whirlwind romance on the show to getting married, having a baby, and moving to Vancouver, Heejin and Jimmi open up about building a life together as a cross-border couple. We also dive into their experiences...

In this episode of Take 1.5, we’re joined by best-selling children’s author, educator, and podcast host Chelsea Chong Kim, whose beloved book Carol the Carrot Bowls for the Salad Bowl is inspiring a generation of young readers to embrace who they are. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Chelsea brings over a decade of experience as a master educator into every story she tells. We explore how her backg...

In this intimate conversation, I sit down with my 78-year-old mother as she shares her story of resilience, sacrifice, and love. A first-generation immigrant who arrived in the U.S. in the 1980s, she worked long hours in a garment factory to provide a better future for her children. She opens up about her dreams, disappointments, and the quiet strength that carried her through a difficult marriage...

Ahrom Kim, PhD, is a 1.25 generation Korean immigrant, UX researcher, educator, former biology professor, and working mom. In this episode, she shares her journey from Korea to the U.S., her pivot from academia to tech, and how she's learned to navigate parenting and professional life with a growth mindset. We talk about why trusting a child’s natural curiosity can lead to greater success than...

🇰🇷🇺🇸 Meet Rosa Her — a Korean-born UX/UI designer whose creative journey spans the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Since first arriving in the U.S. as an exchange student in 2008, Rosa has built a dynamic career in digital design, working with clients across South Korea and the United States. Now based in New York, she continues to bridge cultures through both design and performance. In 2015, she was...

By 25, Kevin was the youngest department head in his industry, leading a team of 60+ and racing up the corporate ladder. On the outside, he had it all. But behind the scenes, he was working 15–18-hour days, sacrificing friendships, and convincing himself there was no time for meaningful connection. That all changed in 2020 during his first solo trip. What started as an escape became a turning poin...

Celina Lee is the founder of Live Your Dream Club and a globally recognized executive and career coach. She is also a lawyer, award-winning writer, and the host of Live Your Dream Podcast. She has extensive experiences coaching many executives and corporate professionals to achieve success and fulfillment in their careers, and has given speeches and delivered workshops in many countries. Celina st...

Patrick (and Jessica) of VanBooboo join me in this episode. They quit their jobs, sold the house, and hit the road with their three dogs to chase adventure across Alaska in a camper van. Yep, they lived the van life for three years, wild and free! They are now settled in Anchorage, but their love for the wild is still going strong. In this episode, Patrick shares stories from the road, life with t...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jang Cho, a child and adult psychiatrist, to explore the complex layers of internalized racism within the Asian American community. Together, we unpack how racism and bias—both subtle and overt—have shaped the mental health, identity, and self-perception of generations of Asian Americans. From the model minority myth to everyday microaggressions, Dr. Cho share...

Jae Kwon, a writer, had perfect SAT scores, started college at an Ivy League school, dropped out, and became a popular SAT tutor and college coach. He navigates the complexities of Korean American identity while working at a Pocha, standing up for his community, and writing about his own 1.5 experience with no translation! —feeling isolated and othered yet capable of everything. From the Korean ch...

Join Jenna Lee Kim, an American transracial Korean adoptee living on Jeju Island, Korea, as she embarks on a heartfelt journey to explore belonging and intersectional identities. In the land of her birth, Jenna dives deep into personal narratives, learning about others while uncovering more about her own identity and heritage. Through community engagement and storytelling, Jenna amplifies the voic...

Rice Blossoms is where tradition meets artistry. Jennifer Lee, a 1.5-generation Korean American, explores the rich heritage behind Korean desserts while embracing a modern, luxurious approach to rice cakes. Jennifer shares her journey of blending tradition with innovation—drawing from her cultural roots to craft intricate, flower-adorned rice cakes that are as meaningful as they are beautiful thro...

이번 Take 1.5 에피소드에서는 **이민 전문 변호사 하윤 케인(Hayoon Kane, Esq.)**과 함께 **특별이민청소년(SIJS, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status)**에 대해 이야기합니다. SIJS는 미국 내 서류 미비 청소년들에게 법적 안정성을 제공할 수 있는 중요한 절차이지만, 많은 사람들에게 잘 알려져 있지 않습니다.헤이윤 변호사는 SIJS의 자격 요건, 신청 절차, 그리고 이민 청소년들의 삶에 미치는 영향에 대해 알기 쉽게 설명...

At 10, Dawren’s mom left. At 13, his dad did the same. He and his younger brother were left to figure out life on their own. At the time, it all felt normal—but looking back, he sees those years as just one chapter of a much larger story filled with hardship, resilience, and transformation. In this episode of Take 1.5, Dawren—former Soft White Underbelly interviewee turned life consultant, coach,...

Not into football but stuck watching the Super Bowl? We got you. In this episode of Take 1.5, Min Lee sits down with Coach Han to break down just enough of the game so you can survive (and maybe even enjoy) Super Bowl Sunday. We’ll cover the absolute basics—what’s actually happening on the screen, the social cues to follow, and how to sound like you know what you're talking about (without actually...

In this compelling episode of Take 1.5, Min Lee sits down with Steve Morrison, a trailblazer whose extraordinary journey began with heartbreak and resilience. Orphaned at 8 and adopted into the Morrison family at 14, Steve became an aerospace engineer, pivotal in developing the GPS satellite technology we rely on today. But his true mission lies far beyond engineering. As the founder of MPAK (Miss...

Today, we’re talking with Eun Bin Go, Ph. D., a biotech research and development professional whose journey is remarkable. Eun Bin shares her story of arriving in America as a wide-eyed fourth grader and the intentional decision to stay in the U.S., carving out her path rather than returning to Korea. She opens up about the challenges of completing her Ph. D. during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period...

청소년 우울증과 불안은 보이지 않는 고통입니다. 특히 한국 문화와 세대 차이로 인해 대화가 어려운 한인 가정에서는 더욱 그렇습니다. 이 영상에서는 이러한 문제를 깊이 탐구하며, 청소년과 부모님 모두에게 따뜻하고 실질적인 가이드를 제공합니다.이 영상에서 다룰 내용:🌱 우울증 이해하기: 우울증이란 무엇이며, 청소년에게 어떤 방식으로 나타날까요?🌎 문화적 갈등: 한국 문화의 기대가 정신 건강과 정체성에 어떤 영향을...

In this episode of Take 1.5 , we sit down with Deb JJ Lee, a Brooklyn-based Korean-American author and illustrator of the acclaimed graphic memoir In Limbo . Known for their evocative and deeply personal storytelling, Deb’s work has been featured in Google, NPR, Dune , The Washington Post , and posters for Japanese Breakfast. In an unfiltered conversation, Deb shares the raw and vulnerable journey...

In this episode of Take 1.5, we sit down with Ji-Su, star of Netflix's Love After Divorce Season 4, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at her journey on the show. We explore her experiences as a 1.5-generation Korean American, navigating cultural identity, dating in her 30s, and balancing it all with a demanding career as a lawyer in Los Angeles. Ji-Su opens up about the challenges and joys o...