Level: Asian

Nine months. A lot happened. Some of it was planned. Most of it wasn't. 🎧 This is the Q1 catch-up, Part 1. Davie, Viv, and Kan sit down after nine months apart to go through photos, share updates, and end up in one of those honest conversations about life that you didn't realise you needed to hear. Davie's officially a dad and he talks about what fatherhood actually does to your brain (spoiler: i...

Welcome to a quiet check-in on what actually matters. This week, Kan, Davie, and Noel reflect on the highs, pressures, and small wins that come with chasing bigger goals. From traveling across Dubai and Oman with a four-month-old (and realising it’s not as impossible as it sounds), to building businesses, buying homes, and figuring out what “enough” really means. We get into: The unexpected weight...

Send a text Welcome to your favourite long-ass wedding debrief disguised as a podcast episode 💍✨ Sydney Food Boy is back—and this time, he’s brought his wife Kel (and all the juicy wedding details). We’re talking chaotic tea ceremony mornings, expensive umbrellas, 80 slices of Top Ryde Bakery cake, and how to plan a 330-guest wedding without losing your mind (or each other). Kan and Kev get real...

Send a text Welcome to your unofficial dad therapy session, AKA this week’s ep on the realities of fatherhood 💭🍼 Kan's coming in hot with seven brutal, beautiful truths he’s learned as a dad (so far). We’re talking outdated advice that feels like junk food, the gut-punch of watching your kid get sick, and why you’re not the hero—you’re the bodyguard. Also: why “clichés” about parenting aren...

Send a text Welcome to your Gen Z crash course, hosted by none other than Viv (our unofficial youth translator) 🎓✨ This episode is your fast-pass into what’s trending, what’s confusing your parents, and why everyone’s suddenly obsessed with blind boxes and run clubs. From Robert Irwin’s thirst trap Bonds ad (yes, THAT one), to Crocs becoming fashion icons again, to decoding what the hell “brat s...

Send a text We’re officially back on the mic after our longest hiatus ever 💀 Eight months of life later, we’ve somehow survived growing families, making (and losing) money, crying at random photo slideshows, and trying to keep our brains from fully combusting. This ep is pure catch-up chaos: Davie crying on cue (as usual), Noel trying to convince us he actually had a slideshow plan, and Viv + Kan...

Send a text We’re back, baby 🚨 After a much-needed break, the Level: Asian crew is officially returning with a fresh vibe — less heavy trauma dumps, more chaotic, unfiltered life updates. In this episode, Davie spills on everything from giving tax advice at his own birthday dinner, picking up pottery like it’s therapy, finally graduating (thanks, Covid 🙃), and Viv breaking her 6-year vegan strea...

Send a text Come sit and reflect with us on the amazing accomplishments and MASSIVE milestones we’ve shared as Level: Asian turns TWO! THANK YOU to everyone for your incredible support over the last TWO years! We’ve grown so much together, shared many insane projects (👀 Vinh Giang’s Carter Event, #WAWE series, and two Food Events, just to name a few) and shared many stories (including our own) on...

Send a text In this episode of the Level: Asian Podcast, we break down the roles and responsibilities we carry amongst our siblings, how we live into our stereotypical traits, and unlearning our roles within the family to allow our siblings to grow.  Kan and Viv share their experiences growing up with the ‘first’ version of their parents, juggling with their dual roles to manage the parental and s...

Send a text In this episode, we're joined by Michelle Lim, an organisational culture and change lead, and an advocate for intersectional diversity, ethics, and equity and inclusion in the workplace. Michelle shares her personal journey growing up as an Asian Australian, navigating the challenges of feeling ashamed of her identity and trying to fit in, before eventually embracing her heritage...

Send a text Join us as we dive into the journey of Eigen Ting, co-founder of a Sucre du Jour, a French fine patisserie, as he navigates the challenges of starting a business in a niche market, learning to navigate life after the death of his mother and travelling around the world in the hospitality industry. In this episode, we explore his experiences, becoming independent at an early age, and the...

Send a text Join us as we share our SURVIVOR GUILT as second-generation migrants grappling with the messy and complex issues around being the ones who ‘made it out’. In this episode, we explore issues around escaping war, sending money back home, recognising our privilege and sharing our parents’ migration story to preserve what they went through as a way to heal. Enjoy the episode! Show Notes Lin...

Send a text In this episode of the Level: Asian podcast, we’re joined by Mental Health Advocate, Emily Unity! Emily shares her powerful story navigating childhood trauma and mental health challenges to become a voice for change. She opens up about how her diagnosis allowed her to make sense of her experiences and understand how to create safe spaces to support others with their journeys. Emily als...

Send a text In this episode of the Level: Asian podcast, it’s a family affair, as we’re joined by the brains behind ‘Gong Grocer’ - Sydney’s premiere Asian supermarket! Brian and Vivian Nguyen, along with their mother Linh, get candid about the rollercoaster of building a business empire with loved ones. We learn about the lineage of grocers in their family, the dos and don'ts for working wit...

Send a text In this episode of the Level: Asian podcast, we share our favourite things about Asian culture! Of course there’s food, the arts and travel, but what are the values and day-to-day nuances that we hold closest to our hearts? From the language we use to show love and respect, the ‘above and beyond’ hospitality, and frugality shaped by the migrant hustle, there’s so much richness in our c...

Send a text In this episode of the Level: Asian podcast, we’re back by popular demand for another Reddit Reacts! But once the mics turned on, things didn’t go quite to plan… (who’s cutting onions?) We begin by reacting to stories from the “Not So Subtle Asian Parent Traits” Subreddit; from blurred boundaries, Asian love languages, financial expectations and more! However, what was meant to be a fu...

Send a text In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we chat with YouTuber and Influencer Amy Lyons, aka Blondie in China (@blondieinchina).  Amy shares her incredible story - finding a second home in China, without having any Asian ancestry. We chat about her experiences learning the history and culture of a country whilst travelling and working in it, the reception of her content and how fore...

Send a text In this episode of the Level: Asian podcast, we unpack the housing and cost of living crisis. We begin by sharing how recent increases in rent, interest rates and groceries have impacted us personally and how we’ve changed our spending habits to adjust. The crew also discusses the challenges different generations face when it comes to wealth building, the changing values towards money...

Send a text In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we're joined by content creator, Tara Chandra, who peels back the curtains of her life as a fashion and lifestyle influencer. Tara shares how a passion for Tumblr sparked her artistic journey, how she uses fashion to showcase the different parts of her identity and the power of manifesting your wildest dreams. Tara also opens up about ho...

Send a text In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we’re joined by actor, performer, speaker, comedian and creative entrepreneur, Diana Nguyen. Diana shares her incredible journey as a storyteller, from being kicked out of home when she was eighteen and self-funding her first show, to running her own TedTalk and performing at Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Diana opens up about how t...

Send a text In this episode of The Level Asian podcast, we're joined by Zhoe Low, Global Manager of ‘July’, a renowned Australian travel brand specialising in luggage and accessories. Zhoe shares her unconventional path as an early digital nomad, her transition from tech startups to travel products, and how she absorbed ten years of business knowledge into three years while working for July....

Send a text In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, the crew deep dive down a Reddit rabbit hole to unpack some of the spiciest takes the internet has to offer. Tune in as the team debates an Asian edition of #AITA, share their insights on an Asian Parent themed Subreddit and reveal some of their own unhinged experiences. Comment below - do YOU think they're an a**hole? 👇

Send a text In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we're joined by Natalie Yan-Chatonsky, Founder and CEO of Full Time Lives, a women’s midlife specialist and author of 'The Art of Full Time Living'. Natalie emphasises the significance of women, particularly those in midlife to prioritise self-care, nurture social connections, and design meaningful next chapters. Her approach a...

Send a text In this episode of the Level Asian podcast, we're joined by Neel Kolhatkar, a comedian, filmmaker, and Youtube sensation, well known for his viral comedy sketches and stand up routines. Neel talks about his childhood in Sydney, what captivated him into pursuing comedy at a young age, and how he turned his online success into a full-time career. He also shares his thoughts on navig...

Send a text In this episode of the Level Asian Podcast, we’re joined by the WHOLE L:A team, as we take a moment to appreciate our incredible journey and share some of the remarkable accomplishments and milestones we’ve achieved throughout 2023.  Some of our key achievements include: 🧧 Cabramatta Lunar New Year Merch Stall 🎤 Vinh Giang x Level: Asian Event at the Carter 🦐 A Nostalgic Night with...