Steven Wakabayashi

Yellow Glitter

Society EN ↓ 58 episodes

Dive into the fabulous world of queer Asian creatives and change-makers on #YellowGlitterPodcast. Join us as we chat about our Queer & Asian identities and culture, social activism, mental health, love, creativity and more. Hosted by Steven Wakabayashi, founder of Stranger Creative and QTBIPOC Design. Follow us at @yellowglitterpd on socials and share your thoughts or guest recommendations at info@yellowglitterpodcast.com. Full episodes, transcripts, and show notes on our website at yellowglitterpodcast.com.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: yellowglitterpodcast.com

Author

Steven Wakabayashi

Category

Society

Podcast website

yellowglitterpodcast.com

Latest episode

Jun 6, 2025

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android almost 10M downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

#33 State of COVID & healing our queer Asian identities with Dr. JT (Jonathan Tolentino) 07.11.2021

We have another beautiful episode chatting about COVID, our mental health, and our future. We're joined by an extra special guest Dr. JT, Jonathan Tolentino, who is the Program Director of the Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency program at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at University of Miami. In this episode we...

#32 Rainbow-washing and performative allyship of pride 24.06.2021

This week, we're joined by our favorite Derek Tran once again to chat about the state of COVID, rainbow-washing, performative allyship, and showing up authentically. In this episode we talk about: Derek's Tinder profile. Yes. Really. COVID mask mandates going down in many parts of America Rainbow-washing and performative allyship from companies Goods Unite Us revealing of where corporate sponsorsh...

#31 Activism & Asian culture: showing up & calling in our community with Derek Tran 14.06.2021

Another wonderful episode with our lovely guest Derek Tran, to talk about issues surrounding activism, current-day events, and the Asian culture. In this episode we talk about: Flashback to Xanga? Livejournal? Our COVID check-in and thoughts on the CDC directive to remove masks in the US Trump's rhetoric that catalyzed so much of the Asian hate we face Shallow activism in celebrities and gay commu...

#30 Stop Asian Hate and addressing rise in anti-Asian hate crimes with Derek Tran 09.04.2021

Derek Tran and I chat about the rising anti-Asian hate crimes and what we can do to keep ourselves safe and sane during this time.   In this episode we talk about: COVID and where we are at with vaccinations Issues with performative social media activists How allies can show up - with more actionable steps The intersection of mindfulness and activism Struggling to find our voice as Asian-Americans...

#29 Leading by example: compassion and mindfulness with Kim Thai 24.01.2021

This episode, I'm joined by Kim Thai, founder of ganeshspace, an organization dedicated to making mindfulness a more equitable space. We chat about the current politics of America, how we can show up with compassion in activism, understanding ourselves before helping others, and her journey of finding her queer identity after marriage. Enjoy! Kim Thai is a writer, Emmy-award winning producer, and...

#28 Storytelling and the richness of our Asian history with Randy Kim 12.01.2021

On this episode of Yellow Glitter, I'm joined by Randy Kim, a queer, second-generation Viet-Khmer American from Chicagoland and podcast host of The Banh Mi Chronicles, highlighting uplifting important Asian voices. We chat about the Asian diaspora, how to heal the trauma of our parents, coming out, the importance of storytelling history of Asian culture, creating inclusive spaces, and why the slog...

#27 A graphic tale of honesty, darkness, truth and love with Mike Curato 24.11.2020

In this episode, we are joined by Mike Curato, a queer Asian author and illustrator, to talk about his latest graphic novel, Flamer, inspired by his own personal life story. We cover a lot of topics including, mental health, bullying, suicide, and the wave of intolerance plaguing our country, and also looking ahead at how we can all do better. Mike Curato is a gay first generation half Filipino-Ir...

#26 Paving ways & coming out in the world of hockey with Jon Lee-Olsen 30.10.2020

In this episode, we are joined by Jon Lee-Olsen, a professional ice-hockey player who made headlines as the first openly out player in Europe and third in the world. We talk about his experience coming out nationally, managing relationships alongside a sports career, and his experiences as a transracial adoptee.  Jon (he/him) is Danish transracial adoptee from Korea who currently lives in Copenhag...

#25 Moving mountains and the importance of visibility with Rain Valdez 18.09.2020

In this episode, we are joined by Rain Valdez to talk about her journey from the Philippines and Guam to the Emmy-nominated actress and producer she is today. We talk about her Emmy-nominated show, Razor Tongue, as well as her recent work on Disclosure highlighting the impact Hollywood has had on the trans community. We have a beautiful conversation with Rain about trans talent and the importance...

#24 Discovering our voice & living our unapologetic truth with Amazin Lêthi 30.07.2020

In this episode, we are joined by Amazin LeThi, LGBTQ+ sports ambassador, former competitive bodybuilder, entertainment executive, and fitness author to chat about current events and her life journey. We talk about trans-racial issues, equity and representation in media, and body positivity, homelessness in our queer community, and so much more. Amazin LeThi (she/her) is an Athlete Ally and Stonew...

#23 Representation and equity in media with Ian Alexander & Vivien Ngô 15.06.2020

I am joined by none other than Ian Alexander (Buck Vu of The OA) and Vivien Ngô (Trinh Phan of Queen Sugar) to talk about what it's like being gaysian in the entertainment industry, their humble beginnings as children of Asian immigrants, and their latest thriller, Daughter. They share some mindful advice on how to create a more equitable workspace for queer actors and having more diverse represen...

#22 Activism, direct action, and expressing solidarity with Kalaya'an Mendoza 06.06.2020

In this powerful episode, I'm joined by Kalaya'an Mendoza, a nonviolent direct action trainer and disaster preparedness expert, to talk about the current climate and advice for those who headed out to protest in the streets. We chat about how we can show solidarity with Black folx and addressing racism within our Asian community. Kalaya'an Mendoza (he/him) is a nonviolent direct action trainer, Di...

#21 Combating racism towards Asians amidst COVID-19 with Derek Tran 28.04.2020

With the novel coronavirus spreading all around the world, so has intolerant attitudes towards Asians. Hate crimes have increased to unsettling amounts and it seems to get worse with each passing day. I am joined in this conversation with our returning guest Derek Tran to unpack the racism towards Asians and offer some advice on how to navigate it. This episode, we talk about: The current climate...

#20 Managing Change During Turbulent Times with Ning Zhou and Marti G Cummings 09.04.2020

We are living in an unprecedented era with many of us confined in our own homes, facing uncertainty around COVID-19, and experiencing sudden changes in employment. Join us for a session as we have a chat on staying physically and mentally healthy amidst COVID-19, establishing mindfulness to stay present and peaceful, understanding trauma responses during difficult times, and managing sudden shifts...

#19 Finding Opportunity During COVID-19 and Celebrating Trans Day of Visibility 02.04.2020

This episode, we talk about the continued struggles with COVID-19 here in NYC. But in light of this, there is also opportunity to connect with friends, family, our finances, emotions, feelings, and the planet. We also touch on some of the discriminatory laws that were recently passed against trans folks in Idaho. This episode, we talk about: The current state of COVID-19 in NYC Finding opportunity...

#18 Lessons from the Coronavirus on privilege, xenophobia, and mindfulness 27.03.2020

This episode, I talk about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. I share how our privilege and ignorance has led us where we are today, why we may be past the point of containment, why getting rid of wet markets is not the solution, addressing xenophobia, and advice on how to cope with emotions during this time. This episode, we're going to chat about the coronavirus. I talk about: - The clear warnings...

#17 Behind the comedy and queer Asian life, love, and spirituality with Margaret Cho 11.03.2020

This episode, we have none other than Margaret Cho, one of the leading queer Asian voices in comedy, media, and activism here in America. We sit down and talk about her life leading up to comedy, including what it was like growing up in a Korean household, exploring sexuality, dating as a queer Asian, finding spirituality, and practicing mindfulness.   She has been a Five-time Grammy and Emmy-nomi...

#16 Navigating media, dating apps, and finding love with ONCH 29.02.2020

For the month of February, we sit down with queer Asian Americans to learn more about how they navigate finding love here in America.   This episode, we chat with ONCH, a nonbinary first-generation Taiwanese-American designer in LA about gaysian representation in media, racial fetishism, navigating finding love as a queer Asian, and the impact of social media and dating apps on today's culture.  ...

#15 On equity and challenging personal preferences with Johnathan Gibbs (aka blasianFMA) 26.02.2020

For the month of February, we sit down with queer Asian Americans to learn more about how they navigate finding love here in America.   This episode, we chat with Johnathan Gibbs, aka blasianFMA about activism, biracial identities, model minority myths, our racial preferences, and so much more.   Johnathan Gibbs, he/him/his also known as blasianFMA online, is a content creator, podcaster, activist...

#14 Navigating asexual, panromantic, and polyamorous identities with Robin Mele 24.02.2020

For the month of February, we sit down with queer Asian Americans to learn more about how they navigate finding love here in America.   This episode, we sit down with Robin Mele, a queer second-generation Taiwanese-American therapist in NYC and learn more about them navigating through their asexual, panromantic, and polyamorous identity. We talk about identities, stereotypes, dating apps, and so m...

#13 On growing up Indian and lessons in love with Rajiv Khanna 17.02.2020

For the month of February, we sit down with queer Asian Americans to learn more about how they navigate finding love here in America.   This episode, we sit down with Rajiv Khanna, a gay second-generation Indian-American living in San Francisco. We talk about what it was like growing up as a gay Indian man, coming out, dating apps, combating prejudice and so much more.   Rajiv Khanna (he/him/his)...

#12 On finding self-love and cultivating gaysian pride with Derek Tran 17.02.2020

For the month of February, we sit down with queer Asian Americans to learn more about how they navigate finding love here in America.   This episode, we sit down with Derek Tran, a gay second-generation Vietnamese-American entrepreneur in LA and talk about growing up in LA, being a part of the gaysian LA scene, navigating social media and dating apps, and finding self-love through his spiritual an...

#11 My experience with death and lessons of impermanence 07.02.2020

Right now, we are in quite a precarious time. From the recent death of Kobe Bryant to hundreds of people dying from the Coronavirus all around the world, death is becoming more present than ever. For me, it's been a frequent visitor and teacher. I share some advice on what I learned from life, death, and lessons of impermanence.   This episode I talk about: My experience with death Advice on if yo...

#10 My 2019 in review and creating habits and New Year's resolutions that stick 17.01.2020

I'm back for 2020! I share with you my highs of 2019, favorite books I've read, lessons from my lows, and advice on how to create habits and New Year's resolutions that stick. I share a bit about how to practice self-love, compassion and how to address our egos.   This episode I talk about: What were my highlights of 2019? What were my favorite books of 2019? What were my lows of 2019? Why do we u...

#9 Forgiving our parents and caregivers 28.11.2019

Happy Thanksgiving! Though this day has quite questionable roots, many of us are spending time with those we love. For many Asians, this might mean returning home to our conservative Asian families. In this episode, I share with you something that is near and dear to my heart - forgiving our parents and caregivers.   This episode I talk about: My story of finding forgiveness for my conservative fa...

Listen to the Yellow Glitter podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.