Too loud, too quiet, too white, too Asian. What does it mean to be Asian American today?

In the first episode of Bad Asian, a new podcast by NYC writer and producer Amy Cao Smith, she attempts to interview her 92-year-old grandmother who immigrated to the U.S. from China in the 80s.

Looking ahead to the November 2016 US presidential election, Amy also invited her cousin Lily to talk about growing up in Brooklyn, New York, and the challenge of changing attitudes and prejudices of older generations.

10/1/2016

Bad Asian No. 1 Combined Test Not Perfect

A conversation with garment factory owner Joann Kim about working with immigrants in New York City's Garment District, the rise of slow fashion, cash-only businesses and "never swiping right" on Asian guys.

10/2/2016

Bad Asian No. 2 Exit Through The Sweatshop

If you're in PDX, LA or NYC you've probably tried Pok Pok, the eminently popular Northern Thai restaurants run by American chef Andy Ricker. 

While most people know Andy for his food (and, let's be honest, he draws attention for being a white guy promoting Asian cuisine) this interview is less about his restaurants or even Thai cooking as it is about cultural appropriation. 

Outsiders often play a role in transmitting cultures that aren't their own, and this episode takes a considered look at how and when doing so has a positive output.

Bad Asian No. 3 Andy Ricker: Not Even Asian

Margarita Alcantara is a NYC acupuncture and Reiki practitioner. Growing up in a predominantly white suburb outside of Pittsburgh, she was keenly aware that her mixed Asian heritage made her a target for racial harassment. At home, she fulfilled the role of a "good Asian" daughter in a strict household.

Later, in her twenties, Margarita launched Bamboo Girl Zine to challenge racism, sexism and homophobia from the point of view of a mixed race feminist.

In this episode, recorded before Election Day in the United States, Margarita talks about her path to discovering Eastern medicine, combating repression in adulthood and how to cultivate inner peace during hard times.

Bad Asian No. 4 Eastern Medicine with Margarita Alcantara

Matt FX Feldman is the music supervisor for the hit Comedy Central series BROAD CITY and a twentysomething Asian Jew. In this episode, Matt talks about growing up biracial in New York City, the rise of Asian rappers in America, and what it's like to date as an Asian dude.

If you like this episode, tell your friends!

Check out Matt's mixes on SoundCloud @mattfxfxfxfx

Featured music by
Rich Chigga (@richbrian)
Keith ape (@keithape)

Special thanks to impromptu co-host Jenna Meister twitter.com/jetsetmeister

Bad Asian No. 5 Matt FX: Asian Jew

Bad Asian chronicles the Asian American experience through conversation about racial stereotypes and cultural appropriation. Created by NYC writer Amy Cao Smith.

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