Asians Episodes

Overview: We explore the complexities of trust, cultural values, and intergenerational dynamics within the Filipino community, especially in accessing mental health and healthcare services. We discuss how deep-rooted traditions like family obligation, community support, and the stigma surrounding mental health influence care-seeking behaviors across generations. Through community-driven initiatives like Little Manila Rising, we highlight how culturally rooted, trauma-informed approaches—such as ...

Overview: We explore the powerful story of Little Manila Rising, an organization founded to preserve the Filipino American legacy in Stockton, California, and uplift the South Stockton community. We hear how founders rallied local residents to prevent the destruction of historic neighborhoods and created a movement rooted in ancestral legacy, heart-centered activism, and holistic care. We learn about programs tackling health inequities, environmental justice, mental health, and youth development...

We explore the complexities of Japanese food culture and its impact on health, addressing how American influences have altered traditional diets. Jeff discusses the importance of rice in Japanese meals and his personal transition to healthier rice options. We delve into portion control within Japanese dining customs and the concept of intuitive eating. The conversation shifts to Japanese cultural nuances, including language, religion, and familial expectations, emphasizing the importance of ackn...

We delve into the fascinating journey of Japanese Americans in Washington State, welcoming guest Jeff, who shares his personal and family history. We discuss the generational terms used within the Japanese American community and how historical events like the Meiji restoration influenced immigration to the United States. Particularly moving is the narrative of Japanese internment during World War II and its significant impact on Jeff's family, highlighting the broader implications of shame and r...

Summary: We explore the experiences of Korean immigrants with Cheryl Lee, the chief executive director of the Korean Women's Association. We discuss the historical waves of Korean immigration, the pivotal role of Korean churches in providing communal and cultural support, and the shift in church engagement among second-generation Korean Americans. We also examine the dietary practices and cultural beliefs that influence Korean American health behaviors and discuss strategies for healthcare provi...

Summary: We dive deep into the nuanced world of healthcare interpretation and cultural competency with Michael Byun, exploring the critical role language and cultural understanding play in delivering care to diverse communities. Michael reflects on his experience at ACRS and their 50 years of service, addressing the challenges faced by Asian American Pacific Islander communities, from misconceptions in traditional healing practices to the stigmatization of mental health. We examine the importanc...

Summary: On this episode, we interview Theresa Fujiwara, co-founder of the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS). We discuss the grassroots origins of ACRS and its pivotal role in providing culturally responsive mental health care to the Asian Pacific Islander community, filling a void left by national institutions. We then talk about the organization's approach, which blends Eastern and Western medicine, and the significance of community engagement in healing from trauma. The episode als...

In this episode, host Raj Sundar engages in a conversation with Devin, a dedicated community organizer within the Filipino-American community, exploring the intersection of nutrition and cultural values within healthcare. Raj and Devin navigate the intricacies of Filipino cuisine, delving into its complexities influenced by various cultures. The discussion extends to the challenges of providing dietary counseling within the Filipino community, considering the unique aspects of their culinary pr...

In this episode, host Raj Sundar explores the history and experiences of Filipino Americans in the healthcare profession with guest Devin Cabanilla. Together, they discuss the complex identities of Filipino Americans shaped by colonization and diaspora and its impact on their contributions to healthcare. The conversation covers waves of Filipino immigration to the U.S., from early 1900s elite students to post-World War II healthcare professionals and war brides. They delve into the clash betwee...

Ron Chew is an activist and changemaker. Since the mid-1970s, he has worked as editor of the International Examiner, director of the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific Experience, and as the executive director of the International Community Health Services Foundation (ICHS) for Seattle’s Chinatown International District (CID). He is currently the head of Ron Chew Communications. Tessa Chu is a community organizer and healthcare administrator. She serves on the board of ICHS and the Asian Hea...

Ruolan Liu is a primary care physician who was born in Chengdu, China and immigrated to Portland, Oregon, with her parents when she was 9 years old. She spent the next two decades falling in love with the community, the people, and the rhythms of the Pacific Northwest. She speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese. After listening to this, you will be able to: Explain the different types of Chinese cuisine Describe the idea of “food as medicine” Specify how you can incorporate patients' community knowl...

Dr. Connie So joins us today to talk about the history of the Chinese American history. Dr. Connie So, an immigrant from Hong Kong, grew up in Seattle’s Beacon Hill neighborhood. She has taught at UC Berkeley, UC Davis and Princeton University and the University of Washington. Since 1992, she has taught at the University of Washington’s American Ethnic Studies Department where she is a Professor of Teaching and the Supervisor of the Department’s Community Practicum and Internship. She is active ...

This is Part II of our conversation on the Cambodian community with Jennifer Huong, a DSHS-certified Khmer interpreter and one of the founders of the Khmer Health Board Member. She was born in Kampong Cham, raised in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, escaped to Thailand refugee camps in 1981 and resettled in Salem, Oregon in mid-July 1983. She has been advocating for the community for the last 30 years as a Cultural Mediator/Caseworker and Medical Interpreter. In this conversation, you will Understand how...

Part I of our conversation on the Cambodian community with James Heng, a DSHS-certified Khmer interpreter and Khmer Health Board Member. In his free time, he organizes concerts and entertains the Khmer community in WA state. In this conversation, you will Understand the trauma many Khmer hold that you likely never think about Learn the perils of using a family or staff for interpreting without thinking twice Hear why there's such a stigma around mental health or being open to a diagnosis of ...

This is part II of our conversation with Dr. Avantika Waring. Avantika is an Endocrinologist focusing on caring for people living with diabetes. She has worked with patients in various clinical settings for over 15 years and is currently the Chief Medical Officer at 9amHealth. Her clinical passion is the development of technology-enabled care delivery models that are equitable and culturally inclusive. She is originally from New Jersey but has lived on the west coast since 2009 and currently res...

Amy Bhatt, Ph.D. is a writer, educator, and content creator. She received her B.A. in Political Science and Women’s Studies from Emory University and her Ph.D. in Feminist Studies from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. She is the author of High-Tech Housewives: Indian IT Workers, Gendered Labor, and Transmigration (University of Washington Press, 2018) and co-author of Roots and Reflections: South Asians in the Pacific Northwest (University of Washington Press, 2013) with Dr. Nalini ...