Infatu Asian Podcast

Ep 220 A Pop-Up Podcast at On Waverly

A few weeks back, we set up a few microphones in a little corner of the On Waverly Book and Gift Shop in SF Chinatown, and we interviewed whoever showed up! What a fun day! We did about 10 interviews in 90 minutes, on a whole range of topics. I definitely want to try to do another one of these!
Special thanks to my guests: @jennmchoi, @xirimpi, @kayhuixin, @leogong (@sfmolum), Kenric, @_natejlee, @h_k_c_c_6_0_3, @heycynthiahuie, Jonathan, @kachoo11 . Thanks to the staff @onwaverly, @avabava13, and my daughter Noelle and her friend Kaitlyn for helping me set up and take pictures. 
Check out our new website!  https://infatuasian.com/ follow us on social media @infatuasianpodcast or write to us at InfatuAsianPodcast@gmail.com
Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around. Our cold open was performed by @cornerclubofficial
Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)
#asianpodcast #asianamerican #infatuasian #representationmatters

Ep 219 Olivia Zhang - Harvard Junior Grew Up on Food Stamps—Now She’s a Forbes 30 Under 30

Olivia has done more before the age of 21 than most of us do in our entire lives. Currently a Junior at Harvard, she started a non-profit called @cancerkidsfirst, she's written a book, given a TED Talk, and she was the youngest person named to the 2026 Forbes' 30 under 30 list. Olivia was a real joy to speak with, and I can't wait to see what she does next!
Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviazhangofficial or @livviazhang on TikTok. Get her book "YOUth: The Young Person’s Guide to Starting a Nonprofit" wherever you get books.
You can let us know your thoughts at: infatuasianpodcast@gmail.com, or via direct message on Instagram and Facebook @theinfatuasianpodcast, and now also check out our website https://infatuasian.com/
Our Theme:“Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around. Our cold open was performed by @cornerclubofficial
#asianpodcast #asianamerican #infatuasian #representationmatters

Ep 218 Greening the Game: Kayla Hidayat on Sustainability at Chase Center

The Chase Center in San Francisco is one of the City's newest and greenest buildings. It is the basketball home of the Warriors and Valkyries, and it is also LEED Gold Certified, which means it meets the highest standards of sustainability. Making sure employees and fans are able to enjoy the game with minimal negative environmental impact is Kayla Hidayat, Chase Center's Sustainability Coordinator. We had a chance to sit down and chat about some of the things that make the arena so "green!"
Learn more at https://chasecenter.com/sustainability/ or @chase_center on social media. 
As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠infatuasianpodcast@gmail.com⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast Check out our NEW website https://infatuasian.com Let me know what you think of it! (it's a work in progress)
Our cold open is by @cornerclubofficial. Our theme, “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios, was arranged and performed by @invictusquartet
Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)
#asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters
 

Ep 217 From Wong Kim Ark to Grandpa Vicha with SF City Attorney David Chiu

I can sleep a little better at night knowing that SF City Attorney David Chiu and his team are looking out for our rights and seeking justice. We had a fun chat with David about a wide range of topics, from the historical San Francisco roots of birthright citizenship to the ongoing fight to protect immigrants and some of the City's most vulnerable.  
You can learn more about David @davidchiu.sf on social media or over at his website sfcityattorney.org
Write to us at infatuasianpodcast@gmail.com, and follow us @infatuasianpodcast on socials. Please give us a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. 
Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by @invictusquartet
Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)
#asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters

Ep 216.5 Side Dish Episode with John W. Kim Writer and Director of Reunion

We got asked if we could do a quick episode with director/writer John W. Kim about the film Reunion, which premieres in Beverly Hills next week on April 16th. And if you know me, I hate saying no to artists trying to get the word out about their projects, so we agreed to do a quick episode as a side dish.
Once we got on the call, John got on a bit of a roll speaking about all sorts of things. He emailed me after and apologized for rambling on a bit because it isn't often he gets interviewed by fellow Asians. So instead of editing this down, I decided to leave it pretty much uncut, because it captures something raw and unfiltered in a way no other interview John has done has. 
Go see Reunion in theaters if it comes near you; it really is fun. It's playing at the world-famous TCL Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd on 4/16, and in Monterey Park on 5/03 at the LAAPFF. I promise you, you'll have a good time. 
Follow the film @reunion.movie and follow John @jkinstant
Thanks for listening, and we'll be back with a new episode next Wednesday!
 

Ep 216 The March Madness of Asian Dishes 2026!

We had another epic battle of culinary titans over @Onwaverly on March 21st! In another joint production with @worstqualitycrab, we presented 16 of the most iconic Asian dishes from around the world. Since we did all Chinese dishes last year, this year we did Asian dishes from outside of China, and we had some really tough battles. Our live studio audience did not disappoint, providing commentary, energy, and most importantly, the votes to declare a winner!
This year, we partnered with some local producers of great products to sample or to give away as prizes to make the night really special. We were treated to @drinkapisol with refreshing honey seltzers, @mamalams yummy Malaysian sauces, @lunarbakerysf with some delicious baked tarts, @luluasiankitchen with some of their just-released frozen dumplings, and @heydoh.co with their small batch soy sauces. 
Special thanks to @xirimpi Hannah Chea (Miss SF Chinatown 2025) and @imadoniseats Adonis (Food recommender and culture keeper) for coming by and chiming in as well!  Shout out to the On Waverly staff, Sharon, Sean, and Jonathan, for staying open late with us!  Also, thanks to Steve, Suki, and Christy for doing odd jobs to make the night go smoothly! 
Pictures from: The team at Lunar Bakery SF and Alisa Wong.  Graphics compliments of Sam at Worst Quality Crab
I hope you enjoy this episode, and we really hope you'll be able to join us in person next year!  
Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around 
Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)
#asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters
 

Ep 215 An Interview with Mayor Elizabeth Yang of Monterey Park California

Mayor Elizabeth Yang has had lots of ups and downs in her life, but her remarkable resilience is inspiring. She was raised by a single mom and graduated with a degree in Engineering/Computer Science from UC Berkeley at age 19. She worked in the aerospace industry, then pivoted to get her JD/MBA degree and started a patent law firm. She got married young and had two kids in her 20s, but the marriage ended in a messy divorce that drained her savings. She pivoted again to practice family law, starting the Yang Law Offices. Recently, she was elected to the Monterey Park City Council and is their acting mayor! 
I had such a great time chatting with Monterey Park's mayor! For someone so accomplished, she's super down-to-earth and endearing. You can follow her @lizyangmpk on Instagram.
As I always mention, you can write to us at: ⁠infatuasianpodcast@gmail.com⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 
Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around 
Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)
#asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters
 

Ep 214 Julian DeGuzman on Performing in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast

Julian is a Broadway actor, dancer, and singer. He's currently on the road with Disney Theatrical Group's touring production of Beauty and the Beast. We got to chat with Julian about his Bay Area roots and his life performing on some of America's grandest stages!
The show is playing across the U.S. If you happen to be in the Bay Area this summer, it'll be at the Orpheum Theater July 14th-August 9th, 2026. Julian promises you'll have fun! Find out more here https://beautyandthebeastthemusical.com, and follow Julian @julianofguzman on social media. 
You can write to us at: ⁠infatuasianpodcast@gmail.com⁠, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast 
Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by @invictusquartet
Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World)
#asianpodcast #asian #asianamerican #infatuasian #infatuasianpodcast #aapi #veryasian  #asianamericanpodcaster #representationmatters