Brazn Azn

Author 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...

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 a...

Join 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 an...

In 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 n...

In 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 "Pa...

On 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 meani...

In 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...

In 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 rela...

In 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...

In 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 Ba...

In 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 - Vulnera...

In 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 candi...

In 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 buil...

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 - Addre...

In 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. -...

In 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 an...

In 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 I...

In 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 experienc...

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,...

In 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, touchin...

In 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, p...

In 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. Laz...

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...

In 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 a...

In 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...