For decades, traditional Chinese instruments like the pipa, erhu, and guzheng felt "too foreign" to Ken as he navigated the pressure to be accepted as a "true-blue American". Now at 71, embracing non-Western music has opened up an entirely new world—making a last-minute invitation to interview Wu Man an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

Recognized globally as a master of the traditional Chinese lute, Wu Man shares her remarkable artistic journey, the rich heritage of the pipa, and how she continues to bridge cultures and musical genres.

Catch Wu Man Live in Los Angeles:

• November 19: Performing Mason Bates' Concerto for Pipa at The Colburn School's Zipper Hall (tickets available via the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra website).

• November 22: Performing at The Wallis.

In Season 12, Episode 624, host Ken Fong sits down with Carol Chin, a Chinese immigrant entrepreneur whose journey spans Venezuela to the Greater Boston area. As the co-owner and operator of seven McDonald's locations—including the anchor franchise in Boston's historic Chinatown—Carol offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a thriving family enterprise across generations.

Carol's remarkable path is featured in the short documentary Home Plate which explores how her immigrant work ethic and resilience mirrored the career transitions of her son, former professional athlete Andrew Chin. In this conversation, Carol reflects on navigating cross-cultural transitions, creating physical gathering spaces for urban communities, and defining success beyond business metrics.

Home Plate can be viewed by going to the McDonald's YouTube channel.

In the wake of the 2026 midterm elections, co-hosts Ken Fong and Ken Kemp sit down to process the sweeping political shift across the nation. As election results confirm a significant Blue Wave, the Two Kens look past the headlines to examine what this outcome reveals about voter priorities, the ongoing evolution of American public discourse, and the real-world implications for leadership moving forward.

With Halloween right around the corner, we're kicking off a special pre-Halloween edition of Asian America: TKFP!Host Ken Fong welcomes Filipino American author Michael Seidlinger to explore the eerie, compelling, and deeply reflective world of horror fiction.

In this episode, Michael discusses his new novella, Brokeula—a sharp, genre-bending story that reimagines classic vampire lore through a distinctly modern lens. We discuss why the horror genre continues to captivate readers, how it helps us process real-world anxieties, and the underlying symbolism woven throughout Brokeula.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The enduring cultural appeal and relevance of horror fiction today.

• How horror acts as a mirror for processing societal and personal anxieties.

• Brokeula and its modern reinterpretation of traditional vampire tropes.

• Unpacking the symbolism of isolation, economic struggle, and contemporary life in Michael's latest novella.

About the Guest: Michael Seidlinger is a Filipino American author of numerous books, including Brokeula, Runaway Smile, and Library of the Dead.

What does it truly take to stop waiting to be chosen and start choosing yourself?

In Season 12, Episode 622, host Ken Fong is joined by multidisciplinary artist, writer, and director Christine Chang to discuss her new short film, Making Space. Starring Jessika Van and Tim Chiou, Making Space tells the story of a woman navigating emotional limbo within a complex relationship, offering a visually rich and intimate exploration of identity,boundaries, and belonging.

Beyond the creative mechanics of indie filmmaking, Ken and Christine engage in a deeply personal conversation about the intentional work required to deepen and repair human connection. They reflect on the vulnerability it takes to make space for loved ones, bridge distances in family dynamics, and actively choose growth over comfort in our personal relationships.

In this episode of Asian America: TKFP, host Ken Fong welcomes Sharon Kwon and Annie Lim, co-hosts of the new podcast 2PKs in a Pod.

Growing up as a "PK" (Pastor's Kid) carries a unique set of expectations, pressures, and experiences—especially within the Korean American and broader Asian American immigrant church. Sharon and Annie pull back the curtain on what it was like growing up in the ministry fishbowl, how they navigated high community expectations, and the journey of untangling their faith, culture, and personal identity as adults.

Whether you're a fellow PK, someone raised in the Korean American church, or simply interested in deep, honest stories about family, faith, and identity, this conversation offers humor, healing, and shared understanding.

When we talk about public rhetoric—whether in church, on a political stage, or behind a microphone—where is the line between authentic connection and mere performance?

In the latest installment of our collaborative "Two Kens" series, Ken Fong and Ken Kemp (host of the Beached White Male Podcast) meet at the intersection of American politics, faith, and human dynamics.

In this episode, we cover:

• Communicating with Impact: Practical tips and deep reflections on how to move people with integrity, clarity, and heart when called upon to speak publicly.

• The Harp Family Microcosm: A sober, pastorally grounded look at the recent Washington Post profile detailing how key Trump aide Natalie Harp's family was splintered following the tragic death of her father, Biola professor Robert Harp. We explore the tension between hiding pain to "save face" versus facing difficult truths.

• Midterms & Political Idolatry: How modern political movements step in to offer identity, protection, and belonging when institutional or family bonds fracture.

👉 Listen to Season 12, Episode 619 now!

This week on Asian America: TKFP, Ken sits down with hapa Japanese American writer, director, and actor Kenny Riches to talk about his award-winning feature film, Mouse.

Winner of Best Narrative Feature and the Grand Chameleon Award at the Brooklyn Film Festival, Mouse is a dark comedy and crime-noir set in early-2000s Salt Lake City. We chat about:

✨ Subverting classic crime-noir tropes

✨ The tension of self-invention & urban isolation

✨ Directing himself in a lead role

✨ Confronting costly life decisions—on screen and off

🎧 Stream Episode 618 now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows!

In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by the incredible Arasha, a multi-talented performer, comedian, and actor who effortlessly bridges the worlds of digital sketch comedy, screen, and live theater. Many know her as a fan-favorite cast member on Smosh, where her razor-sharp humor and quick improv skills have captured audiences worldwide.

Now, Arasha is taking center stage as one of the featured South Asian American cast members in Jaclyn Backhaus's Wives—the bold, witty, and subversive opening production of East West Players' 61st season in Los Angeles.

In this conversation, we dive into Arasha's journey navigating the LA entertainment landscape, transitioning between fast-paced digital comedy and structured theater, and what it means to step onto the historic stage at East West Players to reframe centuries of history through a hilarious, feminist lens.

What does it take to stay grounded in politics when you're constantly balancing humility with visibility, Queens with Capitol Hill, and faith with public duty?

In this episode, Congresswoman Grace Meng joins us for an candid reflection on her journey from a Queens childhood to becoming one of the most prominent Asian American leaders in Congress. We step away from the headline soundbites to explore the foundational stories of her life: the sacrifices her parents made that she only fully understood as an adult, the spiritual discipline required to remain humble in Washington, and how being a mom fundamentally changes the way she views leadership and bipartisanship.

It's an intimate look at the human behind the public servant—and a reflection on what keeps her fighting for her community after more than a decade in office.

In Episode 615, host Ken Fong sits down with Japanese American activist, scholar, and author Dr. Scott Kurashige to discuss his latest book, American Peril: The Violent History of Anti-Asian Racism (University of California Press). Drawing from 36 years of academic study, grassroots organizing, and his own family's history with wartime incarceration, Scott unpacks the sweeping history of anti-Asian violence in America and offers crucial insights for the movement for justice today.