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.

In Season 12, Episode 614 of Asian America: The Ken Fong Podcast, host Ken Fong sits down with Filipino American author, illustrator, and artist Kenneth Tan. Kenneth joins the show to discuss his multimedia art projects and books, including Crescenciana, which grew out of a deeply personal, intergenerational collaboration with his grandmother, Crescenciana Tan.

Kenneth shares the story of honoring a promise to his late grandmother by completing the unfinished watercolor paintings she left behind, layering his own illustrations over her brushstrokes to create a living homage to her life, legacy, and memories. Together, Ken and Kenneth trace how art and storytelling can bridge generations, transform family history, and offer a poignant reflection on aging, honoring our elders, and carrying their legacies forward.

What does it take to shift from conventional TV news reporting to frontline advocacy? In this episode, Emmy Award–winning anchor and author Dion Lim joins Ken Fong to share how an anonymous video tip altered her career trajectory and thrust her into covering anti-Asian hate in the Bay Area and beyond.

Dion opens up about breaking generational silence, pushing major media outlets for fair coverage, and the personal cost of speaking out. Together, they explore the role of journalism in building cross-racial solidarity and the story behind her book, Amplify!: My Fight for Asian American Visibility.

In Episode 612 of The Two Kens, Ken and Ken sit down to mark a solemn and significant milestone: 25 years since September 11, 2001. Together, they look back at how that day reshaped foreign policy, domestic security, daily American life, and cultural memory—reflecting on the long-term impact that continues to ripple through our world a quarter-century later.

Key Topics & Highlights

• Looking Back at 2001: Initial reactions, personal memories, and the immediate aftermath of 9/11.

• Faith Under Siege—Fear in the American Church: How post-9/11 fear shifted the American Christian Church, sparking a rise in Christian nationalism, "us vs. them" theology, and institutional anxiety over national identity.

• The Policy Ripple Effect: How foreign relations, national security, and civil liberties shifted over the last 25 years.

• Cultural Memory & Legacy: How a single morning shaped an entire generation's worldview and continues to influence public discourse.

• Moving Forward: Finding perspective, resilience, and understanding in the quarter-century legacy of 9/11.

Notable Quotes

"Twenty-five years later, we aren't just remembering a single day—we're looking at the entire quarter-century built in its shadow, including how our institutions of faith allowed fear to dictate the narrative."

Texas House Democratic Leader Gene Wu joins me this week on the podcast to lay out what's at stake for democracy, the Constitution, and state governance in Texas. Representing Southwest Houston (District 137), Rep. Wu breaks down why local legislative races matter nationally, how AANHPI and Chinese American voters can tip the scales, and why protecting democratic institutions starts at the ballot box.

In Season 12, Episode 610, Ken Fong sits down with Steven Wakabayashi, founder of Stranger Creative, for a candid exploration of technology, culture, and personal identity. They tackle the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on human creativity, while also diving into Steven's personal journey of staying closeted for years out of deference to his mother. It's an insightful, deeply vulnerable conversation on balancing cultural expectations with living authentically.