Yin & Young Podcast

In this episode we're joined by my good college friend Nick Louie. We met as actors in the UCSD Theatre program, and were both part of the first UCSD Asian American Theater Festival. Since then Nick, has continued to perform in theater while also expanding his professional career in finance. During this time he got married and became a father. What's great about Nick is that he thinks very deeply...

Hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving! What a better way to enter the holiday season than to discuss with my ol’ college friend Matthew Maybeno how artificial intelligence will take away all our jobs (or not). It was great to reconnect with Matt and to see how he’s moved from biology into the tech space and thrived. His conversation with Dan and I is a great primer in understanding these new t...

Looking back at these past eight years of Yin & Young, we have grown so much. In this episode we reflect back on what has changed and what has stayed the same—exploring the past, how it informs the present, and how we might move into the future. Thank you everyone for these past eight years! Highlights: 00:00:00 Intro: Taking a look back at 8 years of Yin & Young, starting in 2016. 00:01:45 Trump...

In this episode of Yin & Young, we chat with Gabriel Toya-Meléndez, an LA-based filmmaker of Puerto Rican and Japanese heritage. Gabriel shares with us his experiences growing up in San Francisco vs Florida, how he got into filmmaking, and how he navigates difference spaces as someone with a mixed background. Gabriel’s links: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japorican1/ - “Han” - Short film...

After a long hiatus, Yin & Young are back with Paul Hoi, the sequel! Paul is a on a year-long sabbatical traveling the world and has spent the past few months traveling Japan. Earlier this year, James had the privilege of meeting up with him in Tokyo and we got to catch up about his travels, his new passions like skiing and scuba diving, and the reality of solo traveling. Apologies for the poor au...

William Gee Wong (Bill) is a prominent figure in the realm of Chinese-American journalism and literature, recognized for his insightful contributions to the understanding of Asian American experiences. Born and raised in Oakland Chinatown in California, Bill's work often reflects his deep connection to his heritage and the diverse cultural landscape of his upbringing. Bill's narratives provide a v...

We’re so happy to have Aileen Cho, a licensed therapist based in the Southern California area, as our guest this episode! Aileen is a 2nd generation Korean-American clinician that offers psychotherapeutic services in both English and Korean. In this podcast (a first for Aileen) she shares her personal and professional insight into intergenerational trauma, marriage challenges, and the various ways...

Writer Peter Kageyama joins Yin & Young again to talk about MIDNIGHT CLIMAX the second novel of the Kats Takemoto series. Peter joined us last time (EP 66) discussing HUNTERS POINT the first Kats Takemoto novel and in this book we delve more into Kats wartime past, Chinatown gangs, and secret government mind control experiments. Peter shares insight into the writing process of this novel and what...

Welcome back Yin & Young listeners! It’s been a long time since our last episode; Young was busy with his wedding (congrats!) but now that’s done, we’re happy to be back with guest Daniel Tong! Daniel is an editor based in Los Angeles, CA, U.S. Daniel has a passion for editing and shares his journey finding his place in the filmmaking industry. Highlights: 01:56 Young ran into Daniel at a high sch...

In this episode Dan (Yin) and James (Young) share their experiences with married life. Dan gives his perspective as someone who has been married longer and also has children. In contrast, James, who’s newly married, shares some of his feelings transitioning into married life. Highlights: * No real major changes for Young after marriage, but there are some nuanced shifts in family dynamics with You...

In this episode we had the privilege to chat with Hong Kong-based artist Kelly Hebestreit! Kelly does creative, introspective work in photography, poetry, film, and many other mediums. Her work explores such things as local neighborhoods, cultural identity, and the heartbreak behind someone not taking off their shoes. Kelly's Website: https://kellyhebestreit.cargo.site/ Kelly's Instagram: https://...

Yin & Young the podcast is back with a new episode with writer Peter Kageyama! Peter is a writer whose latest book, 1950s noir thriller “Hunter’s Point” featuring Asian American lead characters, recently became an Amazon bestseller. In this episode we discuss Peter’s background as a Sansei (third generation Japanese American), his work in non-fiction (For the Love of Cities) and fiction, and much...

Welcome back to Yin & Young the podcast! In this episode we chat with Matty Beavers! Matty is a cinematographer, filmmaker, YouTuber, vlogger, anime fan, Japanese language learner, and an all around good dude. In this episode we get to hear about Matty’s artistic beginnings and aspirations, his lived experience as an African American and Filipino, and much more. Matty’s work: https://linktr.ee/mat...

Thanks for your patience Yin & Young listeners! We’re back after a break to bring you this episode with filmmaker Mayu Nakamura! In this short episode, we were lucky to have a chance to chat with Mayu about her experiences growing up in Japan, studying/working abroad, and what stories she wants to tell as a filmmaker. Website: https://mayunakamura.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/missyn510 Instag...

Hi Yin & Young listeners! Help support this podcast by clicking our sponsor link for Magic Mind, an effective productivity drink, link: magicmind.co/yny.  Enter code YNY20 within 10 days of this podcast release to get up to 40% off a subscription. Afterwards, you can still get you 20% off a one time purchase. Thank you so much to Magic Mind for being Yin & Young’s first sponsor! In this episode we...

Hi Yin & Young listeners! In this episode (recorded earlier this year) James adjusts to living in Japan and Dan shares some of his stories. Near the end we discuss martial arts and communication issues based on recent experiences. Dan also shares his experience trying the productivity drink Magic Mind to help him work better . Our listeners get a special discount! Go to magicmind.co/yny and enter...

Hi Yin & Young listeners! We’re back finally with a conversation with artist, creative director, and new father Geoffrey Oki! Follow Geoff Oki: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gokid/ * Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/gokid * Yellow Peril Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/YellowPerilPod/ HIGHLIGHTS: * James met Geoff at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival years ago and was able to help...

In this episode we chat with Rama Reddy, a mixed martial arts coach that has trained and taught around the world (US, Taiwan, Brazil, India) and currently lives in Germany. From Rama’s website: “I am a writer and educator based in Berlin, Germany. I believe education is civilization’s most vital tool.”  Recorded early February 2022. --- HIGHLIGHTS: * Met James in Taiwan in the mid/late 2000s. * Bo...

Recorded late 2021. Synopsis: Michael Newman (former TV writer, from episode 12, link below) has moved to Japan. James is also in Japan and at the time was quarantining in a fancy hotel. Today’s podcast focuses on acclimating to living in Japan: convenience store food, toilets, dating, maid cafes, and more. **** HIGHLIGHTS: * 6:15 James is in Japan for a teaching program and is quarantining in Tok...

Recorded in Tainan, Taiwan summer of 2021, James and Dan chat to discuss updates with James’s life as he prepares to leave Taiwan to head back to the US. James shares some of the relationships and skills he has built during his time in Taiwan, Dan shares updates of the vaccine rollout in the U.S. HIGHLIGHTS: - James gives Dan a mini-tour of his room. - James shares some of his plans after leaving...

Recorded February 2021 in Taipei, Taiwan, James (aka Young) shares his experience of what it’s like in a quarantine hotel on the last day of his quarantine. The pandemic situation has changed drastically since the time of recording, with Taiwan now reporting an average of 513 COVID-19 cases for the last week of May 2021, a huge shift from the 1 to 2 cases a day in February. Taiwan is now in stage...

Consider supporting Yin & Young on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/yinyoungpodcast Dan and James are back with an enlightening chat with artist Paul Hoi! Paul shares his background, his artistic passions, and some of his thoughts about being Asian in America. Highlights: - Paul Chan by birth, but goes by Paul Hoi so as not to be mistaken for Paul Chan the art critic. - Is bad with naming his artw...

Yin & Young are back with a great conversation with transformation coach Lillian So! Lillian shares her journey of self discovery and eventual path into helping others live their best life.   HIGHLIGHTS: - Lillian So is the daughter of Korean immigrants and grew up in a very ethnically diverse part of Chicago. - Started career in fitness before moving to current career of helping people transform...

In this episode we chat with the Struck CEO & Co-Founder, Rachel Lo! She shares her journey coming from a secular, technical background to developing an astrology-based dating app. Even if you're an astrology skeptic (like James), there still definitely something to be gained from this discussion. Rachel's message to skeptics: "Consider why astrology makes you so uncomfortable? Is it really harmin...

In this episode, Yin & Young chat with young musician James Huang aka Strike Three of Strike it Rich Records (SIR Records). We discuss Asian American representation in film and music, what it’s like to be an Asian American high school student, and Strike’s journey into making music. HIGHLIGHTS: - Strike connected with us through Young's sister. - Strike wants to see more Asian American representat...