“Enjoy your body. Celebrate it. And don’t worry what anyone else thinks about it.”

Mel and Iz sit down with Duane Nasis, Filipino-British multidisciplinary movement artist based in London; and one fifth of Dragon BoiZ, a queer Asian dance troupe that’s here to ‘ruin the family hotpot’.

Duane explores a diverse range of practices from physical theatre, clowning and cabaret, to contemporary dance, gymnastics, and even lucha libre wrestling. They have worked with the prestigious Sadlers Wells, mother Rina Sawayama, Marvel Studios and played an Orc in the series Rings of Power.

In this ep, we delve into Duane's journey as a queer Asian artist, discussing the joy of cabaret, the power of queer joy, and their visual approach to dismantling cultural stereotypes through movement and performance. We also ponder the question, 'Why are Filipinos so performance ready as a culture?’

We also get into the juicy details of Duane’s upcoming directorial debut, ‘Mssrs. Sweet and Sour’, a romance/tragedy cabaret featuring two Yakuza protagonists that flips the script and truly re-sexualises and celebrates the nude, Asian, male body. 

Tune in as Duane shares their love of performing, their emotional connection to theatre and freedom, and how they’re pushing forward for sexier, diverse, representation in the theatre scene. 

Find us on Instagram, TikTok & Youtube: @easternhunnies

Follow Duane Nasis:

https://www.instagram.com/duanenasis/

https://www.instagram.com/dragon_boiz/

https://www.instagram.com/bittenpeachuk/

Share, subscribe, and remember not to over-intellectualise a striptease! 🎭💛  

Credits:  

Edited by Gabby Lauren  

Directed by Yijia Fu  

Music by Muri & Lustbass  

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding  

Produced by Hunniepot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Eastern Hunnies Monday and this week, we’re sitting down with the award-winning Mixed Up podcast duo, Emma and Nicole, to spill the tea on dating as a mixed person, fetishisation, stereotypes and bias.

We unpack microaggressions, explore Black and Asian allyship, and laugh (a LOT) while talking about the messy, beautiful complexities of mixed-race identity.

Self-interrogation is the theme of the day – because the only way to grow, heal, and show up as a compassionate human is to really look at yourself. Expect hot takes, belly laughs, and some real talk about yellowface, appropriation, and dating as a mixed person (yes, we went there!).

Whether you’re navigating dating apps, exploring your own mixed heritage, or just love unapologetic conversations about race and culture, this episode is for you. Emma and Nicole also drop insights from their book The Half Of It: Exploring the Mixed-Race Experience, which is now out in paperback edition. 📚✨

So grab your headphones, pour a drink (or three), and get ready to banter, reflect, and celebrate the full spectrum of mixed identity with us.

Check out @mixedup.podcast for more stories about race, identity, and belonging.

Find us at @easternhunnies - and remember to subscribe, share, and follow along. We appreciate you! 💛 

Credits:  

Edited by Gabby Lauren  

Directed by Yijia Fu  

Music by Muri & Lustbass  

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding  

Produced by Hunniepot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy ESEA Heritage Month! In this special episode, we sit down with Rahel Stephanie, the Indonesian supper club chef, Sunday Brunch regular, Wagamama collaborator, and food creative, for an honest, funny, and deeply insightful conversation about food, diaspora, and the complexity of identity.

Rahel opens up about her journey into the culinary world, why Indonesian food is criminally underrated, and how she uses her work to challenge stereotypes in food media. Together we explore diaspora privilege, self-exoticisation, and the constant balancing act between authenticity and commercialisation – especially when it comes to being a brown Southeast Asian woman.

We also dive into how Western perceptions shape the narratives around Asian food, the nostalgic ‘auntie’ trope that food media loves to use, what it means to cook for community vs the “Western gaze,” and why emotional honesty matters as much as flavour. And, in an exclusive reveal when the cameras weren’t rolling, Rahel discovers a surprising ancestral link that connects her even more deeply to Southeast Asia. Scoop of the season!

From mango diaspora jokes to redefining Indonesian food, Rahel brings her sharp wit, warmth, and conviction to the conversation. Let's dive in!

Eat with Sp00ns: https://www.instagram.com/eatwithsp00ns/

Rahel Stephanie (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/linda_from_accounting/

Eastern Hunnies: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies 

Remember to subscribe, share, and celebrate cultural heritage - we appreciate you! 💛 

Credits:  

Edited by Gabby Lauren  

Directed by Yijia Fu  

Music by Muri & Lustbass  

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding  

Produced by Hunniepot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Football is the excuse. Community is the goal.”

In this summer sports special, we chat with Darren Tsang to explore how community, identity, and creativity collide on and off the pitch. Darren, known as Humothy, is a creative thinker, community builder, documentary photographer, and is founder of Rise United and 1314FamilyStyle.

Born in Hong Kong, raised in London, and driven by purpose, Darren shares how his lived experiences shape his visual storytelling, his approach to leadership, and his dedication to building safe, joyful spaces for Asian diaspora communities through sport and culture.

We talk about why community football matters, what it means to be a tastemaker in a world of lazy AI content, and how his projects are redefining belonging – whether that’s through photography, streetwear, or a weekly Sunday match. 

Darren also opens up about the realities of burnout, the role of emotional intelligence in leadership, and how collaboration, failure, and joy are central to the legacy he wants to leave behind. He’s also single – so ladies, get in the DMs!

Tune in for a candid conversation on creativity, leadership, and what it really takes to build something that lasts. Remember to subscribe and share - we appreciate you! 💛 

Darren Tsang: https://www.instagram.com/humothy

Rise United: https://www.instagram.com/rise_utd/

Eastern Hunnies: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies 

Credits:  

Edited by Gabby Lauren  

Directed by Yijia Fu  

Music by Muri & Lustbass  

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding  

Produced by Hunniepot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chewy, squishy, and suddenly everywhere: Little Moons has rocketed from a two‑person kitchen hustle to a global frozen‑mochi phenomenon.

In this episode, Mel and Iz sit down with Little Moons co‑founder Vivien Wong to unpack the 15‑year “overnight success” of the brand: leaving a corporate career and switching stilettos for Uggs, bootstrapping for 12 straight years, and turning a family bakery legacy into an international brand stocked in Tesco, Target, and Tokyo alike. 

We dive into the art (and science) of perfect mochi, surviving a TikTok tidal wave of demand, building systems that don’t break, and why Asian representation in food still matters.

Vivien also opens up about sibling co‑founders, therapy‑fuelled confidence, the beauty of spending time with your family, and the moon‑rabbit fable behind the name that changed the ice‑cream aisle forever. Tune in for a masterclass in resilient entrepreneurship, and a love letter to the diaspora that proves chewy Asian snacks have always been cool.

Grab a cuppa and this insight-packed episode! (Also share, subscribe, and honour your ancestors 🌶️💛)

Little Moons: @littlemoonsofficial

Eastern Hunnies: @easternhunnies

****

Credits:

Edited by Gabby Lauren

Directed by Yijia Fu

Music by Muri & Lustbass

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding

Produced by Hunniepot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maria Garbutt-Lucero is in the house! We sit down with the trailblazing Filipino-Japanese-English-Irish voice in UK publishing to discuss her inspiring journey from corporate publishing, to running Florence Welch’s online book club, "Between Two Books", to co-founding the ESEA Publishing Network.

Named The Bookseller Shooting Star in 2023, Maria dives into how her mixed heritage shapes her work - championing East and Southeast Asian voices in publishing, celebrating Filipino cuisine through her supper club Baboy Club, and leading initiatives like #FilipinoFood4NHS. She also breaks down the world of publishing PR, advocating for transparency, and pushing for diversity and representation in the industry.

We get real on topics like the evolution of diversity in publishing, running ESEA Lit Fest, and how food, identity, and literature intersect. She also shares her experiences building community, championing Filipino food culture, and navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether you’re into books, food, or celebrating cultural identity, tune in for an episode packed with insights, inspiration, and identity chats! 📚✨ 

ESEA Lit Fest: https://www.instagram.com/esealitfest/

Maria Garbutt-Lucero: https://www.instagram.com/mariagluc

Eastern Hunnies: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies 

Remember to subscribe, share, and celebrate cultural heritage - we appreciate you! 💛 

Credits:  

Edited by Gabby Lauren  

Directed by Yijia Fu  

Music by Muri & Lustbass  

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding  

Produced by Hunniepot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hollywood is in the building! Mel and Iz sit down with British-Chinese actor Jason Wong to discuss his journey from London’s West End to Hollywood, starring in hits like ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ and Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Gentlemen’.  

Jason opens up about challenging Asian male stereotypes on screen, navigating representation in the industry, and how martial arts shaped his career and identity. They dive into themes of masculinity, self-discipline, and vulnerability, reflecting on Jason’s relationship with his father and the foundations of being a man.  

The conversation also covers the power of food in Jason’s life (spoiler: food beats sexiness!), his thoughts on taking authentic roles, and the responsibility of representation for underrepresented communities like East Asians in film.  

Tune in as Jason shares his love for action, his emotional connection to Bruce Lee’s legacy, and how he’s pushing forward for better representation in Hollywood.  

Jason Wong: https://www.instagram.com/officially_wong  

Eastern Hunnies: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies  

Remember to share, subscribe, and honour your ancestors—we appreciate you! 🥋💛  

Credits:  

Edited by Gabby Lauren  

Directed by Yijia Fu  

Music by Muri & Lustbass  

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding  

Produced by Hunniepot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains conversations about death and grief

In this episode, Mel and Iz chat with Laxmi Hussain, a London-based artist inspired by the human form, motherhood, and nature. Born to a Filipino mother and Indian father, Laxmi’s multicultural background shapes her art, exploring identity, self-love, and acceptance. Trained in architecture, she shifted to art after becoming a mother, inspired by her children and the journey of motherhood. 

Laxmi shares how grief, especially losing her mother, influenced her signature use of blue—a tribute to her and a reflection of her creative journey. Her work, known for its intentional incompleteness, invites personal connections. We discuss how motherhood shaped her art, navigating grief through her work, and the cultural richness of her heritage. This is an emotional one for sure.

Laxmi Hussain: https://www.instagram.com/thislakshmi/ 

Eastern Hunnies: @easternhunnies

Remember to share, subscribe, and honour your ancestors - we appreciate you! 🌶️💛

Produced by Hunniepot

Edited by Gabby Lauren

Music by Muri & Lustbass

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pod crossover time! We sit down with Bunch of Bananas, aka Kevin Lam and Eric Huynh—the British-born, Chinese-Vietnamese duo. Their comedy podcast dives into everything from cultural identity and corporate struggles to food debates, and Asian representation in the UK.

Kevin and Eric talk about their journey as content creators working to amplify UK Asian voices and using comedy to address racism. We banter about balut, family superstitions, discuss their viral “C-word” reel, share their views on cancel culture, and give credit to YouTubers who’ve inspired them.

They also touch on reclaiming their Asian identity, balancing creative projects with full-time jobs, and—yes—debating their top 5 sauces (it’s serious business).

Bunch of Bananas: @bunchofbananaspod

Eastern Hunnies: @easternhunnies

Remember to share, subscribe, and honour your ancestors - we appreciate you! 🌶️💛

Produced by Hunniepot

Edited by Gabby Lauren

Music by Muri & Lustbass

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ang sarap! Mel and Iz sit down with Ferdinand ‘Budgie’ Montoya, the Filipino-born, Australian-raised chef, writer, and culinary consultant, to explore all things Filipino food and third culture identity.

They talk about what Michelin stars mean for Philippine cuisine, how cooking became a way to decolonise himself, and how migration has shaped the Filipino food story.

Budgie also opens up about experiencing heart failure and stepping back from restaurant life to prioritise his health. From setting boundaries to pivoting his career toward writing, consultancy, and projects like Alpas, he remains deeply rooted in his love for Filipino food. 

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about cultural appropriation, migration, and being third culture kids in an ever-evolving diaspora!

Budgie Montoya: https://www.instagram.com/budgie_montoya

Eastern Hunnies: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies

Remember to share, subscribe, and honour your ancestors—we appreciate you! 🌶️💛

Credits:

Edited by Gabby Lauren

Directed by Yijia Fu

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding

Produced by Hunniepot

Music by Muri & Lustbass

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Season 2 is here! ✨Dive into our chat with Denise Devenish: a mixed British-Japanese therapist, mental health advocate and music artist at the intersection of creativity and mental well-being. 

Denise's roots in the music industry means she has an exceptional perspective as ‘the artists therapist’ – she brings serious insight into the highs and lows of being a creative, and shares why artists need therapy.

From tackling mental health, fame and creative burnout to unpacking why Asians often avoid therapy, this discussion is packed with powerful moments. Denise shares how creativity can be a lifeline for mental health, drawing on examples like Amy Winehouse and shattering the myth of the "tortured artist." 

We discuss therapy in interracial relationships, how cultural competence shapes counselling, and the hurdles faced by women in a male-dominated music industry. Denise opens up about her own journey—embracing her identity, career path, and her Japanese mother's expressions of love. (Spoiler: we cried)

Grab a cuppa and tune in for this thought-provoking chat about the power of therapy in the arts, and hear Denise's actionable self-care tips for creatives.

Subscribe for more – we appreciate you! 🌟💛

Find Denise Devenish on Instagram: @theartiststherapist

Find Eastern Hunnies on Instagram: @easternhunnies

Help Musicians UK: @helpmusiciansuk

The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (BAAT): https://www.baatn.org.uk/

BACP: https://www.bacp.co.uk/

Credits:

Edited by Gabby Lauren

Directed by Yijia Fu

Music by Muri & Lustbass

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding

Produced by Hunniepot

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For 20% off DELLI market use discount code EASTERNHUNNIES (valid until 28th Feb 2025) or follow this link: https://delli.market/discount/EASTERNHUNNIES

To celebrate #LunarNewYear, this special episode features Matt Nguyen! Matt is a Vietnamese-British entrepreneur, chilli oil connoisseur and founder of food brand Mother Land, and founder of Jolly Awesome Art.

Mel, Iz and Matt sit down to have an honest conversation about the time when a certain Vietnamese-inspired restaurant chain trademarked ‘pho’, calling out xenophobic marketing language, working with his retired Chef Dad on building a chilli oil business, how he celebrates Vietnamese Tet, and we even share a ghost story or two…

Matt also shares his advice for anyone wanting to start a business and how he began designing album covers for the world’s biggest hip-hop stars and getting stocked in the UK’s biggest giftware stores. 

Remember to share, rate, review and honour your ancestors - we appreciate you! 🌶️💛

Eastern Hunnies: @easternhunnies

Mother Land: @motherlandsupplies

Matt Nguyen: @paperboymatt

Jolly Awesome Art: @jollyawesomeart

***

Music by Muri & Lustbass

Editing by Gabby Lauren

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Season One finale is here and it’s an extra special one hour special!

Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about Christmas, community and connection.

In this episode, hosts Melissa and Isabelle share the highs and lows about celebrating the festive season as British-Filipinos.

They unpack how going home for the holidays can be a triggering experience, the differences in British vs Asian Christmas, New Years resolutions, and what they look forward to in Lunar New Year. They also answer festive questions from the Eastern Hunnies community!

The episode also features a rare appearance by Gabby Lauren, producer of Eastern Hunnies! We talk about our personal and professional learnings from Season One.

If you enjoyed the episode and Season One please rate, review, subscribe & share!

Find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies - our DMs are always open!

Mel: https://www.instagram.com/instagram.com/illumelation

Iz: https://www.instagram.com/instagram.com/lethal_izzle

Editing: Gabby Lauren

Music: Muri & Lustbass

Mixing: Ross Ramsay-Golding

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this ep, Mel and Iz sit down with Venus Wong, a travel and lifestyle writer, content creator, and OG Eastern Hunny from Macau.

Venus shares her experiences working as a journalist across New York, Hong Kong, and London, and her insights on being a Chinese woman in British media. They dive into her solo travel expertise, the nuances of her multicultural background, and the dynamics of marrying into a British family. 

As a dear friend of the podcast, Venus also shares the joy of being part of Eastern Hunnies, her litmus test for authentic Asian cuisine, and her journey of cultural adaptation.

Enjoy this conversation with one of the most cultured voices we know, as we explore identity, belonging, and having the courage to navigate different worlds.

If you like this episode, please rate, review, subscribe & share! 

Venus Wong:

https://tiktok.com/@venus.onthego

https://www.instagram.com/venus.onthego

Eastern Hunnies: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies

Music by Muri & Lustbass

Editing by Gabby Lauren

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mel and Iz chat with Nicole Chui, a London-based embroidery artist from Hong Kong and Malaysia. Nicole’s "messy, brash, and disruptive" approach to art challenges societal expectations of perfection placed on women and works to create more inclusive spaces in sports.

Nicole shares her journey of moving to London, the freedom she found in football, and the importance of embracing our flaws. Nicole co-founded Baesianz FC, a grassroots football club for women, trans, and non-binary individuals of Asian heritage – a safe and joyful community that we celebrate.

Mel and Iz also share their own feelings about football and sports, and they all reflect on the race-related events that took place in the UK in August 2024. Nicole reflects on her career lessons and shares her number one piece of advice for young creatives.

Eastern Hunnies: @easternhunnies

Nicole Chui: @thatssewnicole

Baesianz FC: @baesianzfc 

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, subscribe & share! 

Music by Muri & Lustbass

Editing by Gabby Lauren

Mixing by Ross Ramsay-Golding

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Melissa and Isabelle as they sit down with James Kai Wei Lau - musically known as Kai Wei - a Chinese-Malaysian hip-hop artist and creative force from Manchester. 

They discuss Kai Wei's upbringing as an East Asian man in Britain has shaped his artistry, being the only Asian production staff on movie sets, how Northern accents create more unique rhyme schemes, and how it feels seeing the Asian male as desirable thanks to the turning tides of pop culture. 

They touch on cultural appropriation within music and film, including THAT Bruce Lee scene from ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’, and debate whether Childish Gambino’s obsession with East Asian and Filipina women is problematic or not.

Kai Wei also shares his experience of being an extra on Netflix's 3 Body Problem.

Catch up with Kai Wei: https://www.instagram.com/jmeslau

Join our community over at https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies - our DMs are always open!

Editing: Gabby Lauren

Music: Muri & Lustbass

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Melissa and Isabelle welcome Maya Welford, a corporate baddie and the British-Japanese host of "That’s My Name” – a podcast that delves into the fascinating stories, cultures, and traditions behind names.

The conversation explores Maya’s journey of exploring identity through names and her views on taking a partner’s surname after marriage. They talk about cultural capital in the UK, whether skiing is class-coded, AI’s inherent biases, why having a non-English name shouldn’t predetermine whether or not you get a job interview, and how more inclusive work environments lead to better commercial outputs.

Maya, who grew up in a lower socioeconomic background before working her way up the corporate ladder (she is currently Climate Tech Lead at Barclays), also shares her lived experience of social mobility and how it shaped her work in driving behavioural change – a commitment that won her a Desmond Tutu Award. No biggie!

If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review, and share!

Maya Welford: https://www.instagram.com/thatsmyname_pod 

Reach out to us: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies 

Editing: Gabby Lauren

Music: Muri & Lustbass

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s lots to unpack in this ep! Sit down with hosts Melissa and Isabelle as they rawly explore the complexities of being British-Filipino women in the UK and share their personal experiences growing up as Southeast Asian women in London.

They delve into topics like the fetishisation, objectification, and reduction of Asian female bodies - particularly in the context of interracial dating - and their experiences growing up in during the era of the ‘white boy default’. They also share experiences of microaggressions in professional spaces and the dynamics of working in predominantly white environments, plus the importance (and privilege) of being able to advocate for oneself.

Mel and Iz also discuss societal beauty standards in the Philippines, skin whitening culture, and the pressure to conform to Western ideals, sharing anecdotes about feeling othered when in the motherland. Family expectations, religion, and the experience of being the "Token Asian" in social circles are also examined, alongside the outrageous things that ignorant people sometimes say. Oof.

They end with celebrate the positives of belonging to the diaspora, and how far culture has evolved since they were teenagers. If you enjoy this episode, please rate, review, subscribe & share! If you have any questions, drop us a DM at https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies

Melissa - https://www.instagram.com/instagram.com/illumelation

Isabelle - https://www.instagram.com/instagram.com/lethal_izzle

Editing: Gabby Lauren

Music: Muri & Lustbass

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Melissa and Isabelle chat with David Zhou, the visionary Founder and Director of Eastern Margins, a record label and community that amplifies music from the ESEA diaspora.

David, who left his role as a senior legal counsel at TikTok to fully embrace his passion for music and culture, is at the forefront of representing alternative Asian music narratives. They delve into his journey from corporate law to the challenges and joys of creating Eastern Margins

David shares what it’s like navigating corporate vs creative spaces, the importance of diversity and disruption in creative industries, and the difficulties Asian artists sometimes face due to the way the music industry is currently ringfenced. Hear his advice for the diaspora and what's next on his horizon.

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, subscribe & share! Find us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/easternhunnies

David Zhou: https://www.instagram.com/triplelumi

Eastern Margins: https://www.instagram.com/easternmargins

Stream "Redline Impact" - the new compilation album from Eastern Margins, out now: https://open.spotify.com/album/22nmCm7Uq4Pf74GqnHRFli

Editing: Gabby Lauren

Music: Muri & Lustbass

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melissa and Isabelle chat with Muriel Gonzales, also known as Muri, a Filipino artist and violinist who recently released her debut EP 11ème. Muri has roots in Manila, Paris, and London, and is a member of the indie-folk band The Ransom Collective.

This episode feels like a warm hug! Muri shares her experiences as a nomadic polyglot who has lived across Europe, how culture and heritage influenced her new album, how her grandparents inspired her art, her observations on the European diaspora, and what it was like performing for the Filipino Olympic champions.

Mel and Iz also share personal stories about what it means to be first- and second-generation immigrants, and touch on social mobility in the UK vs Asia.

Muri created the Eastern Hunnies podcast jingle - so of course, we discuss the creative process behind that too!

Stream Muri's official debut EP, 11ème: https://open.spotify.com/album/06TTjkQexrUMH7ulUn72hD?si=TFW8pYm1TS2DZ3NiFKU-kw

Muri: @muri.music

The Ransom Collective: @theransomcollective

Eastern Hunnies: @easternhunnies

If you enjoyed the episode, please rate, review, subscribe & share!

Editing: Gabby Lauren

Original Music: Muri & Lustbass

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.