The Slant Podcast

Connect with US In this episode, Dana Tai Soon Burgess speaks with Christian Oh , former president of the DC Asian Pacific American Film  organization and longtime advocate for Asian American media and arts. From his journey as a Korean American creative to his leadership in shaping the DC APA Film Festival , Christian reflects on identity, representation, and the transformative power of storytell...

Connect with US In this episode of the SLANT podcast, Dana Tai Soon Burgess interviews Jesse Obremski, a dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Jesse reflects on his unique upbringing in an artistic family in New York City, where his love for dance began after a vivid moment at an Alvin Ailey performance. He shares his journey from student to company member at the Ailey School, the me...

Connect with US In this powerful episode of SLANT, host Dana Tai Soon Burgess welcomes Vietnamese-American author, activist, and philanthropist Le Ly Hayslip alongside filmmaker Lacie Mackey. Together, they explore the profound journey of documenting the untold stories of Vietnamese women through their new documentary Woman | Phu Nu . Le Ly shares her personal experiences growing up in a war-torn...

Connect with US In this episode of SLANT, host Dana Tai Soon Burgess interviews Mark H. Rooney, master taiko drummer and founder of the annual Sakura Taiko Fest in Washington, D.C. Mark reflects on his biracial Japanese American identity and the complexities of navigating cultural belonging in both the U.S. and Japan. He shares his journey from growing up in Massachusetts to finding his cultural r...

Connect with US In this episode of SLANT , host Dana Tai Soon Burgess welcomes acclaimed authors Frances and Ginger Park, two Korean American sisters whose works span novels, memoirs, and children’s literature. Frances, author of the recently released novel Blue Rice , and Ginger, known for award-winning books like The Hundred Choices Department Store , reflect on how their Korean heritage, family...

Connect with US  Today, we revisit episode two from season one of Slant Podcast. This is an interview with David Henry Hwang. We do this in celebration of the restaging of his musical Soft Power, now playing at Signature Theatre. Find us on www.slantpodcast.com and follow us on social media @theslantpodcast

Connect with US In this captivating episode of the SLANT podcast, join Dana Tai Soon Burgess as he sits down with dancer and educator, danah bella. As the founding chair of the Dance Department at the Peabody Conservatory, bella has transformed the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance program with a focus on interdisciplinary studies and social justice. Her impressive career spans over two decades, feat...

Connect with US In this episode of Slant podcast, host Dana Tai Soon Burgess delves into the world of transnational art with Genie Ghim, a fine artist and expatriate from Washington, D.C. Genie's journey from Seoul, Korea, to various regions around the globe has deeply influenced her artistic practice, which spans contemporary screen prints, paintings, sculptures, and laser-cut plexiglass. Jo...

Connect with US In this episode of SLANT Podcast, host Dana Tai Soon Burgess sits down with the dynamic Wilma B. Consul for an insightful conversation that spans journalism, culinary arts, education, and culture. Wilma's journey from Manila to San Francisco, her impactful work in radio production, and her commitment to community engagement shed light on the power of storytelling and advocacy....

Connect with US Join host Dana Tai Soon Burgess in an enchanting conversation as he welcomes the dynamic father-daughter duo, Jon Jon and Isa Briones, to the SLANT podcast stage. Fresh off their enthralling performances in the Tony-award winning Broadway musical Hadestown, Jon Jon and Isa share insights into their acting journey. Jon Jon Briones, known for his captivating performances in Miss Saig...

Connect with US In the next episode of SLANT podcast, host Dana Tai Soon Burgess engages in a compelling conversation with Luyen Chou, an education technology entrepreneur, and consultant, who shares insights into the remarkable legacy of his father, the visionary composer Chou Wen-chung. From pioneering electronic music to fostering cultural exchange between the US and China, Chou Wen-chung'...

Connect with US In this episode of SLANT podcast, join host Dana Tai Soon Burgess as he delves into the captivating world of dance with renowned choreographer Michael Mao. With over 60 works showcased across the globe, including iconic venues like The Joyce Theater and BAM, Mao's creative vision has mesmerized audiences from New York to Beijing. Join the conversation as Mao shares insights in...

Connect with US Join host Dana Tai Soon Burgess, in a captivating conversation with two exceptional dancers from the Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, Joan Ayap and Christin Arthur. In this episode of Slant podcast, Joan Ayap, born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Manila, Philippines, shares her journey from training at the Hilil-Cruz School of Ballet to performing with acclaimed companies wor...

Connect with US In this episode, join host, nationally and internationally acclaimed choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess, in a captivating conversation with filmmaker and former journalist Eunice Lau. Eunice Lau's latest documentary delves deep into the lives of rebellious sons of Asian immigrants entangled in the allure of gang life amidst the streets of Atlanta. Nominated for an AMPAS Stude...

Connect with US In this captivating episode of the SLANT podcast, choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess engages in a thought-provoking conversation with the brilliant painter SoHyun Bae to unravel the vibrant intersection of art, multiculturalism, and the universal language of imagery. SoHyun Bae is an accomplished American artist based in New York and a recipient of prestigious accolades, including...

Connect with US In this special episode of Slant Podcast, host Dana Tai Soon Burgess is interviewed by Felipe Oyarzun Moltedo (Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company lead dancer) in celebration of the publishing of Dana's memoir, "Chino and the Dance of the Butterfly." Dana has been referred to as the "poet laureate of Washington dance and a national dance treasure" by Pulitz...

Connect with US In this episode of The Slant Podcast, choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess engages in a captivating conversation with Peggy Choy, dancer, choreographer, and teacher known for her works that explore Afro-Asian fusion and call for social and environmental justice. Peggy is the Artistic Director of Peggy Choy Dance and the founder of The Ki Project, Inc., which supports intercultural p...

Connect with US Join host Dana Tai Soon Burgess, renowned choreographer and dancer, as he engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Lisa Gold. Lisa Gold is the Executive Director of the Asian American Arts Alliance (A4), a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring equitable representation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the arts. Lisa brings her over two decades of experience...

Connect with US Alicia Austin is a Brooklyn-based costume designer and a recent graduate of the Yale School of Drama. Currently a designer and mentor for young theatre students, Alicia chats with Dana about growing up as the Asian daughter in a white family, the power of investing in personal experiences, and trusting yourself in the path you've decided to take. Find us on www.slantpodcast.co...

Connect with US Jason Kim is an Emmy-nominated, Korean-born writer and producer who grew up in the Midwest. Known for his work on the television show BARRY (HBO), Kim's new slate of projects include a Crazy Rich Asians spin-off,  an adaptation of Michelle Zauner's bestselling book Crying in H-Mart,  and KPOP the musical. Join us for a conversation about writing as a tool for creating a s...

Connect with US Growing up in the internet generation, media strategist Erica Barry watched digital media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok transform the entertainment industry and become a way for talented yet historically underrepresented creators to find their audience and tell their story. Thus, she decided to write her debut book Don’t Wait, Create: How to Be A Content Creator in...

Connect with US In the early 90s, Kevin Stea was hired as associate choreographer to the famous choreographer Vincent Paterson for Madonna’s legendary Blond Ambition Tour, where he also quickly became dance captain and dancer. Soon after, his career continued to take off: dancing for Gloria Estefan, Prince, and Michael Jackson, among others. Decades ago, Kevin was actually Dana’s high school class...

Connect with US Adi Shankar is an Indian-American film producer, writer, YouTube personality, and actor—best known for producing Castlevania (2017), Dredd (2012), and his "Bootleg Universe" One-Shot series of unauthorized pop culture satire films.  Having spent a nomadic childhood in cities all around the globe, he was constantly the outsider looking in. Adi reflects on how his work refl...

Connect with US Tim Ma is a critically acclaimed chef and restaurateur, known for several iconic spots in the Washington D.C. area. After an eight year career in engineering, Tim—to the dismay of his restaurateur parents—decided to carry on the family legacy of serving food in a new way. Tim discusses his personal mission to reinvent Chinese Take-Out, a French-Chinese fusion dish called "Tofu...

Connect with US Ken Narasaki is an actor and playwright who has performed in over 70 plays internationally and was the star of a German cop show called ZWEI PROFIS. Narasaki discusses his adaptation of John Okada's novel "NO-NO BOY" into a radio drama, the Japanese American community's conflicting experiences in World War II, and his family's deep commitment to advocacy fo...