Zohran Mamdani - NYC's mayoral candidate - delivers a tearful speech on his Muslim faith — "the dream of every Muslim is simply to be treated the same as every New Yorker." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Translation — it's listening and understanding. It's trying to understand each other, trying to find some common ground, but understanding that there is a gap and that's okay, because we're all different.”  There’s this really good book about a kid in England who gets into an elite school to learn the magic that can literally change the world. There’s friendship, betrayal, enchanted objects, and the fate of the world hanging in the balance. But we’re not talking about Hogwarts - this is Oxford.  Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence by R.F. Kuang — might just be the most important story you’ll read this year.  It’s what happens when a coming-of-age fantasy grows up — when instead of asking who gets to wield magic, it asks who built it, who profits from it, and who gets burned by it. By page 100, you'll start to hear the opening lines of Rage Against the Machine. It’s Harry Potter meets Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and so much more.  Joining is longtime FrieMMd of the pod, and comic-book partner-in-crime Paresh Jha.  LEARN MORE: BABEL (RF Kuang): goodreads.com/book/show/57945316-babel ARTICLE (New Yorker): The Otherworldly Ambitions of R. F. Kuang - newyorker.com/magazine/2025/08/25/the-otherworldly-ambitions-of-r-f-kuang MENTIONS SHOW: Andor (2022-25) - imdb.com/title/tt9253284/ POD: Empire S1 British East India Co) - podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/empire/id1639561921 POD: Revolutions S12 (Martian Revolution) podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/revolutions/id703889772 INTERVIEW: Jon Stewart, Tony Gilroy (Andor), Mike Duncan (Revolutions Pod)  - youtube.com/watch?v=SUUw-UfK64Q CHAR: Jason Todd (Robin 2) - wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Todd CHAR: Dick Grayson (Robin 1) - wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Grayson AUTHOR: Ta-Nehisi Coates - ta-nehisicoates.com/ INTERVIEW: Ezra Klein + Ta Nahesi Coats - youtube.com/watch?v=UaeoDlLNnok COMIC: Saga (2012 - ongoing) - wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_(comics) FILM: The Devil’s Advocate (1997) - imdb.com/title/tt0118971/ FILM: Fight Club (1999) - imdb.com/title/tt0137523/ FILM: Star Trek V (1989): “I need my pain!” - youtube.com/watch?v=9ABLYnvpAso FILM: Equilibrium (2002):.imdb.com/title/tt0238380/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The Philippines isn't the president, it isn't the government. The Philippines is the people. Our role as Filipino Americans living in the diaspora is to stand with them. Tama na. Enough.” Politics is divided, institutions are fragile, and truth feels up for sale. Sounds familiar? Here’s the twist — we’re not talking about America, we’re talking about the Philippines. With over 110 million people, it’s one of the largest democracies on Earth — a nation with deep ties to the U.S. that most of us are not taught in school. If recent decades have taught us anything - it mirrors the challenges we face at home in the U.S. today: corruption, disinformation, and the erosion of trust in power. One might say it’s a canary in the coal mine, which many Filipinos, and Filipino-Americans have been calling attention to those who will listen.  And since October is Filipino American History Month, FrieMMd of the Pod Lisa Angulo Reid, co-founder of Dear Flor stopped by for a chat. Lisa recently penned a Substack post “Fighting for a Home That Isn’t Mine” - we continued a longer conversation we’ve been having - ranging from her essay, corruption, diaspora identity, her calling, the economic potential on both sides of the ocean. and what it means to fight for a home you no longer live in but still carry inside... ABOUT LISA: dearflor.com // dearflor.substack.com MENTIONS Maria Ressa (Nobel Prize winning journalist): wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Ressa Maria Ressa on the Daily Show (9/18/2025) :  youtube.com/watch?v=Tsb1I7hqaJ4 HISTORY  First landing of Filipinos in the USA (1587): wikipedia.org/wiki/First_landing_of_Filipinos_in_the_United_States Philippine-American War - wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine%E2%80%93American_War Independence Seaport Museum (Philadelphia) / USS Olympia exhibit newyorkpcg.org/pcgny/2024/10/11/philippine-american-war-1899-1902-complex-symbols-conflicting-relationships-exhibit-unveiled-aboard-olympia/ India: British business / colonial rule (~1600 - 1757 - 1947): wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonial_India British East India Company - wikipedia.org/wiki/East_India_Company Duterte drug killings (WARNING - graphic) - nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/07/world/asia/rodrigo-duterte-philippines-drugs-killings.html BOOK:  Patron Saints of Nothing (Randy Ribay): goodreads.com/book/show/41941681-patron-saints-of-nothing BOOK (Poems): Antiemetic for Homesickness (Romalyn Ante): goodreads.com/book/show/53095607-antiemetic-for-homesickness FOOD: Ginataang Tilapia  panlasangpinoy.com/ginataang-tilapia/ PLACES Visayas: Southern island region, rich in beaches and culture. Ilocos: Northern coastal region known for heritage towns. Baguio: Mountain city with cool climate and tribal roots. Batangas: Cultural heart of the Tagalog people. Taal: Volcano within a lake within a crater. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, we started a podcast... 300 episodes later, instead of a self-congratulatory retrospective, we asked our MANY longtime FrieMMds of the Pod to “ask us anything” — from how ideas of being a minority have changed, surprises and lessons hidden from 300 conversations, fond unexpected memories, what our kids continue to teach us, and all the conversations we somehow still haven’t had. Big thanks to FrieMMds of the Pod - Nina Pearl, Jay Veraldi, Rajiv Satyal, Jieun Kirtley, Steven Wakabayashi, Melissa Haughton, Joe Medved, Bob Gilbreath, Lisa Angulo Reid, Maurice Cherry, Sudha Ranganathan, Sarah Poritt, and one very special secret (and very curious) surprise guest. Messy, meaningful, and maybe even memorable — just how we like it... Ask us anything, featuring... 04:11 - Nina Pearl (Austin) 08:08 - Jay Veraldi (Portland) 16:15 -  Rajiv Satyal #1 (LAm rajivsatyal.com) 13:09 - Rajiv Satyal #2 21:45 - Jieun Kirtley (Cincinnati) 25:26 - Steven Wakabayashi (NYC, Yellow Glitter podcast) 29:04 - Melissa Haughton (Toronto, Canadian Correspondant =) 33:08 - Joe Medved (NYC - Lerer Hippeau Ventures) 38:36 - Bob Gilbreath (Cincinnati, behearty.substack.com) 43:34 - Lisa Angulo Reid (NYC, dearflor.com) 48:26 - Maurice Cherry (Atlanta, mauricecherry.com) 52:38 - Jay Veraldi #2 (Portland) 58:51 - Sudha Ranganathan (SF) 64:03 - Sarah Poritt (NJ via NY) 69:10 - Surprise Guest (NY) 65:19 - Mom Dishes (!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“ Build your own identity and understand what drives you — I just wanna be as authentically me as possible and let others know that this world is better when you can embrace what is unique to you, and not try to dim it.” Priti Ohri is an award-winning adtech executive and entrepreneur. She’s Co-founder & CEO of Advertible, and one of the founders of DesiUs - a group for South Asians in adtech. Priti’s been recognized as one of the top women in media and technology by all the places that matter. But more importantly, Priti’s an authentic leader, comfortable in her own skin and a believer in setting her own path for others to see that they don’t always have to do things the way they’ve always been done. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation on how Priti navigates change - in business, life, and the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“ None of us know how to be bored anymore. Some of the best things in my life have come from those moments where I'm not connected” — “...can you poop without your phone? We're going to solve our social media's problem — but first, you have to accept we ALL have a problem. Nearly every challenge we face as a society becomes infinitely harder if we stay on our current path. Division, misinformation, a slow erosion of critical thinking — we’re all feeling the effects. And we haven't even thrown AI into the mix. Yet at the same time, social media has undeniable upsides: connection, creativity, even community. So what do we keep? What do we change? What role should incentives, business models, regulation, and culture play in reshaping these platforms? Recently longtime FrieMMd of the Pod Jay Veraldi put together a small workgroup — including entrepreneurs Loren Appin (Fishbowl co-founder) + Maggie Silver (Mother of Invention) — to meet, share perspectives, and figure out — how do we fix our social media problem?That’s the conversation our particular workgroup had. and it was with two fantastic, interesting, and intelligent people I'd never met - Loren and Maggie. Loren’s a product leader and community builder who’s spent the last 15 years building social platforms, including founding Fishbowl and leading product at Glassdoor. These days, he’s just as focused on inner growth — through meditation, music, and even the occasional quantum physics rabbit hole. Maggie’s an actor-turned-startup veteran with two kids, a handful of exits, and a new consumer products company called Mother of Invention in the works. She’s lived the arc of being all-in on social, then going dark, and now re-emerging with a mindful, founder’s presence. It was a fascinating conversation about how we navigate the mess of social media today — where things broke, how we might fix it, and why it matters right now — and for the future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 ​“What's funny is, people are talking about these movies being woke, but it's literally just what superheroes are supposed to be about — kindness, empathy, and protecting people that can't be protected. ” “These are times where we are told that you can't afford to look out for more than yourself — And to stand amidst that — to care about somebody even if it doesn't have some immediate benefit to me? Yeah, that's punk rock.” In a world spinning faster than a speeding bullet — where doomscrolls rain like cosmic rays, truth is stretched, accountability is turning invisible, everything is on fire, and our foundation is becoming rocky — maybe what we need isn’t just another (super)hero — but a reminder of what everyday, real heroism looks like. This week we're talking about SUPERMAN + THE FANTASTIC FOUR - not one, but two summer movies appropriate for the time we're living in. At first glance, it might feel like another studio cash grab — but these movies arrived right on time, reminding us of the power of hope, kindness, and the audacity to care in a world that tells us not to. “It’s clobberin’ time!” is more than just a tagline; it’s a call to stand together and fight the good fight, together.  So we gathered a couple of our favorite superhero sons of Cincinnati — Stefan K. James and Karl Preissner — longtime friends, early podcast guests (#11 + #12). Karl Preissner a longtime friend, allyship expert, and person who dances like no one is watching. And Stefan James is arguably my favorite Jamaican- Chinese- midwestern- Floridian father and business dude to nerd out on all things fiction and non-fiction. Both are gents who i don’t spend enough time talking to. They both joined to talk through their thoughts, feelings, and anxieties of the moment we’re in, and reflect on how these films can show us a better way forward. After all punk rock, and rebellions, are built on hope.  MENTIONS EGOT:.wikipedia.org/wiki/EGOT COMIC: The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (Ryan North, Erica Henderson) goodreads.com/book/show/23732096-the-unbeatable-squirrel-girl-vol-1 FILM: Zero Dark Thirty (Kathryn Bigelow):.imdb.com/title/tt1790885 FILM: A Hidden Life (Terence Malik) -.imdb.com/title/tt5827916 SHOW: Andor (Tony Gilroy, Disney+):.imdb.com/title/tt9253284 COMIC: Invincible (Robert Kirkman) -.goodreads.com/series/66423-invincible BOOK: The Ministry for the Future (Kim Stanley Robinson) -.goodreads.com/book/show/50998056-the-ministry-for-the-future KIDS BOOK: Why? (Adam Rex, Claire Keane) - .goodreads.com/book/show/42453554-why PERSON: Zohran Mamdani - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohran_Mamdani SHOW: Young Justice (HBO Max):.imdb.com/title/tt1641384 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 ​“A lot of creativity stems from lack of access — born outta having less. You have less, so you have to think about how to do more — that's what's Black design is about.” Maurice Cherry is a designer, strategist, and an important voice in the history of Black design — best known as the creator and host of Revision Path, an award-winning podcast that’s spotlighted over 550 Black designers, developers, artists, and digital thinkers — and became the first podcast inducted into the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Born in Selma, Alabama, Maurice took anything but the traditional path expected of him. Raised on writing and tech - in magazines, the library and the radio - he studied math at Morehouse, and hustled his way into the creative industry - from Limewire to HTML. Maurice views design as a lens into cultural storytelling, and in the importance of Black design to understand a big part of the American design experience. Maurice is thoughtful, funny, and curious - his work helping shape the future of design. But you’ll also enjoy how we traded hometown memories and podcast war stories. LEARN MORE mauricecherry.com revisionpath.com instagram.com/mauricecherry // twitter.com/mauricecherry MENTIONS BOOK: HERE: Where the Black Designers Are (Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller): goodreads.com/book/show/207567620-here BOOK: Meditations for Men Who Do Too Much (Jonathon Lazear): goodreads.com/book/show/1621178.Meditations_for_Men_Who_Do_Too_Much Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Chai is amazing — it should be right alongside a good cup of coffee, espresso, or cappuccino. This business helped me reconcile my American upbringing and my Indian heritage — that push and pull, that beautiful combination of everything.” Ayan Sanyal is Co-founder of Kolkata Chai Company, which if you’re in NY, you should stop by sometime soon (or order some online) — it’s something special. I’ve been going for a couple of years, and more than a few others do to, including frieMMd of the pod Rajiv, and his bud Hasan Minhaj, who’s become a big investor and advocate. Chai is something special — and good, REAL chai is something transcendent (just don’t call it chai tea). Good chai takes time. It takes people. And it creates friendship. Ayan and his brother founded Kolkata Chai Co. in 2018 to bring authentic masala chai to New York City. Growing up to Bengali parents in Amherst, MA, the brothers navigated tea times, rock bands, and trips back to India (street food FTW) - finding different inspirations along the way. The two built a career and background in digital advertising and media, but quickly challenged themselves to take a side passion - brewing chai at home - to farmers markets and beyond — redefining how chai and culture can be experienced in the city, and further into America. Hearing Ayan’s journey, from Amherst, MA to Kolkata and back again — and all the comic books and rock music in between - you’ll be inspired to do more, and have a great cup along the way. LEARN MORE: kolkatachai.co instagram.com/kolkatachaico Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It was not nostalgia — I kept waiting for that to hit. I was worried about — what if New York doesn't live up to it? Because then where do I go from here? Kay Sohini is an Indian comics-maker living in New York City. She’s the author of the graphic novel THIS BEAUTIFUL, RIDICULOUS CITY . But Kay’s a lot more than a comics creator - she’s a writer, researcher, and artist. Kay grew up in Kolkata, where she fell in love with American culture - through TV and literature - as a contrast to her life in India. Kay eventually left India, got her PhD in English from Stony Brook University, and drew her doctoral dissertation — "Drawing Unbelonging" — as a comic. Since then her work has been published in The Washington Post, The Nib, and more. Her work focuses on utilizing comics in the scholarly examination of healthcare justice, environmental humanities, resisting disinformation, and creating an equitable future for all.  “This Beautiful Ridiculous City” is getting glowing reviews from NPR, the Associated Press, the Washington Post, The Financial Times and more. Kay shares some of her journey from India to America, from Kolkata to New York, but we actually talked a lot about the business - and art of comics - in the US, France, and India. Kay’s a very thoughtful, observant and direct artist and thinker. Kay’s work isn’t just deeply personal — it also challenges bigger ideas through personal narratives — with themes of marginalization, intersectionality, and the power dynamics embedded in our language and culture. Kay’s work will move you in a way few comics can.  LEARN ABOUT KAY kaysohini.com instagram.com/kaysohini goodreads.com/book/show/212294437-this-beautiful-ridiculous-city MENTIONS Alison Bechdel: goodreads.com/author/show/54223321.Alison_Bechdel Deb JJ Lee: goodreads.com/book/show/60316964-in-limbo BOOK: Ginseng Roots (Craig Thompson): goodreads.com/book/show/216971212-ginseng-roots BOOK: Unflattening (Nick Sousanis): goodreads.com/book/show/23503006-unflattening BOOK: Kari (Amruta Patil): goodreads.com/book/show/3174768-kari BOOK: Munnu: A Boy From Kashmir (Malik Sajad): goodreads.com/book/show/25394441-munnu BOOK: Skin (Mieke Versyp, Sabien Clement): goodreads.com/book/show/214387878-skin COMEDIAN: Zarna Garg wikipedia.org/wiki/Zarna_Garg BOOK: Summit of the Gods (Jirō Taniguchi): goodreads.com/series/55939-the-summit-of-the-gods SHOW: When Life Gives You Tangerines: imdb.com/title/tt26471411/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“ We might need only 10% of the population to have a tipping point into a brighter future — to change lives for the better at scale by recognizing your potential to calm others. We're in this thing together.”  Life right now seems chaotic, but there's a method to the madness — welcome to the challenge of our generations. It sucks, it’s not fair, it’s been going on too long, and it feels like we’re sacrificing our children to some golem of change—with no relief in sight. We need something to believe in and something to do about it, so longtime friend of the pod - and personal mentor Bob Gilbreath shares what works for him in a recent essay from his Substack, the Workaround.This hit me in a moment when I needed it most. It might help you handle the stress, and maybe even convince you to be the tiny pair of butterfly wings that delivers positive change. LEARN MORE: behearty.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“ It was always in me — my grandparents were almost like these mystical figures, and they did really great things. So I was always like, ‘Why can't I discover more of that side of me?’ ” Brian Velasquez Reid is co-founder + CFO of Dear Flor, the first Filipina-owned cannabis brand — bringing Filipino culture to the world, one flavor at a time. And he happens to be co-founder with recent FrieMMd of the pod Lisa Angulo Reid. Basically, Lisa said we had to have a chat with Brian, and we’re really glad we did. Brian and Lisa met at a Philippine Society of Boston College picnic way back when in the 90s, or the olden days as the kids call it. Brian’s originally from New Jersey, but now a proud New Yorker - him and Lisa have raised their family in Greenwich Village for years now. He actually got his start on some of Wall Street’s top firms and became one of the first Filipino Americans to be a founding partner at a multi-billion-dollar hedge fund, as well as lots of other big deal roles in the financial world. Brian also serves as Treasurer of the FilAm Democrats of NY and is on the executive board of the Filipino American Historical Society of Metro New York. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation with two guys raising families and coming to terms with our heritage, and what it means for the next generation of American.s And we didn’t even talk about punk rock, heavy metal, dungeons and dragons or comic books too much... LEARN MORE: DearFlor.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“ It's a message of resilience in the face of adversity — a sandbox, where every person has a story, an important point of view — folks doing something different who can be interesting, wonderful, and celebrated.”  A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, we saw Star Wars for the first time — and everything changed, for so many of us. Let’s be honest, it has been a long and winding relationship with all the space wizards and laser swords over the years — from Ahsoka to BB-8, from Yoda to Zahn, and everything in between. So for this May the Fourth, we got together many FrieMMds of the Pod, old and new, who all have Star Wars stories because like the Force that binds all living things in the universe. And like any good story, Star Wars holds a mirror to the moment we're in, especially now. ANDOR anyone? Joining our wretched hive of scum and villainy who are creative and geeky in all the right ways... Josh Ridenour: co-host of the Rabbit Fighters podcast, Quarantined Comics frequent flyer,, and the former number one Weezer fan from Alabama. ⁠creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/rabbit-fighters⁠ Lisa Angulo Reid: our latest MM co-host, and co-founder of DearFlor - the first Filipino owned cannabis brand, bringing Filipino culture to the world, one flavor at a time - DearFlor.com Ainsley Waller: award-winning creative director - back from our 2021 chat on Robins coming out - who blends their passion for sci-fi, fantasy, & fashion history - ainsleyrivers.com MENTIONS ANDOR FTW: theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/nov/22/andor-how-a-star-wars-deep-cut-became-one-of-the-best-tv-shows-of-the-year SW = Vietnam? ⁠reddit.com/r/movies/comments/d5glo0/george_lucas_explaining_how_the_heroes_of_star/⁠ SUPERIOR SEQUELS: Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn Trilogy - https://www.goodreads.com/series/42348-star-wars-the-thrawn-trilogy HOTH WEAR (Overpriced): ⁠columbia.com/starwars⁠ MUPPETS: Fozziebacca & Friends: muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Wars_Muppets_action_figures TEE (Aces High): norselegionstore.com/collections/shirts/products/tie-pilot-t-shirt-and-patch VID (What if Ep.1 was good good)? ⁠youtube.com/watch?v=VgICnbC2-_Y POD (Josh & Raman): Weezer OK Spreadsheet : creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/rabbit-fighters/episodes/20---Weezer-OK-Spreadsheet-e2oqla0 POD (Ainsley & Raman): Holy Bi-Robin! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holy-bi-robin-tim-drake-comes-out/id1507595726?i=1000538532578 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Even though this is a book about snake girls and lizard boys — it's about universal experiences: we can't change what's happening, but you never know when being kind will change somebody else. ,” Jonathan Hill’s an award-winning cartoonist, illustrator, and educator in Portland, Oregon — and a returning guest - to celebrate the launch of his latest graphic novel: “Lizard Boy 2: The Most Perfect Summer Ever.” While the sci-fi title might have you scratching your head, this YA sequel is actually a beautiful, compelling story of self-acceptance, community, and family — we can’t recommend it enough for parents and kids alike, as well as it’s prequel “Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy.” Jonathan is HALF Vietnamese American - and while the story is about an immigrant family, community acceptance, and belonging - Jonathan’s work, his characters and their journey are important for all of us to be reading at this particular moment in our nation.  Jonathan’s work has been published by Walker Books, First Second, and Oni Press - and featured at ABC New Voices, YALSA and JLG selections, and won awards like the 2012 Carla Cohen Free Speech Award, the 2021 Believer Book Award for Graphic Literature, and the 2022 Junior Library Guild Selection. Jonathan’s also an accomplished cartoonist with clients like Microsoft, the Portland Trailblazers, the Viet Nam Literature Project, the Inlander, Fantagraphics Books, Dark Horse Comics, Tor.com, The Believer Magazine, Literary Arts, and Powell's City of Books. AND he’s been the staff illustrator to The Asian Reporter since 2007. Jonathan also teaches comics and visual narrative - having taught at the Pacific Northwest College, the Oregon College of Art and Craft. He graduated as valedictorian from the prestigious Savannah College of Art & Design, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Literary Arts and chairs the Youth Programs Advisory Council.  Jonathan’s an important voice, creating important work for not just our kids, but for all of us to be learning from — so be sure to check out his work. LEARN MORE oneofthejohns.com/one-of-the-johns instagram.com/oneofthejohns BOOK 1: Tales of a Seventh-Grade Lizard Boy - penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714742/tales-of-a-seventh-grade-lizard-boy-a-graphic-novel-by-jonathan-hill-illustrated-by-jonathan-hill/ BOOK 2: Lizard Boy 2: The Most Perfect Summer Ever - penguinrandomhouse.com/books/774237/lizard-boy-2-the-most-perfect-summer-ever-by-jonathan-hill-illustrated-by-jonathan-hill/9781536216479/ MENTIONS OUR FIRST CHAT (May 2023): podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jonathan-hills-tales-of-belonging/id1507595726?i=1000613932953 COMIC: Speechless: A Graphic Novel (Aron Nels Steinke): goodreads.com/book/show/210563340 MUSIC: Neko Case - https://www.allmusic.com/artist/neko-case-mn0000381371 MUSIC:  Kim Deal’s New Album - https://kimdeal.bandcamp.com/album/nobody-loves-you-more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“They want your immigrant voice — they don't want to hear about me just growing up, even though that's the truth, right? And then I realized I could clearly make a living just performing for my people.” Keith Pedro is a renowned Canadian comedian who has garnered worldwide acclaim through his captivating live performances. In 2022, he was honored with a Juno Award nomination for his Comedy Album, "TRILLIPINO," in the category of Comedy Album of the Year. He has made a name for himself as one of the standout performers on "Roast Battle Canada," earning a Canadian Screen Award nomination for his work on the show. Keith has been recognized by Complex as one of the top Canadian comedians in the industry. His stand-up comedy has been showcased on Kevin Hart's LOL Network, and has made numerous appearances on television, including MTV, CBC, FuseTV, and more. Keith is a regular performer at the Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival and the CBC Halifax and Winnipeg Comedy Festivals. He has also made notable appearances on the hit TV show "Degrassi the Next Generation." Keith's dynamic and versatile comedy style ranges from crowd work to relatable written material, and his live performances are not to be missed. LEARN MORE keithpedro.com/ instagram.com/keithpedro youtube.com/user/keithpedrocomedy tiktok.com/@keith.pedro open.spotify.com/artist/6nDuqILZ3e43OB3Q1sGul9 This conversation was hosted by FrieMMd of the Pod Lisa Angulo Reid —sharing conversations with Filipino and Asian American changemakers. Lisa also happens to be the Co-Founder & CEO of Dear Flor - the first infused gummy with classic Filipino flavors. Learn more @ DearFlor.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“When everything changed recently, we promised ourselves we would not get wrapped into the daily news. Yes, we're paying attention, but  it's going to happen - and the coping mechanisms have never changed.” Suresh is a Malaysian-born, London-raised, gay media exec in NY, who over the years, has become an important voice about authenticity, discipline, and hard work. Suresh is direct, honest and reflective — in an industry full of a lot of talk. With everything going on in the world today, you’ll hopefully find as much relief in this conversation with a new friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“ I certainly learned about how media works — our faces and our stories weren't included. That was my bat signal to make that change.” Nicole Ponseca is a pioneering voice in the culinary world and one of the most respected thought leaders in the Hospitality and Filipino community. Nicole has proven herself on the NYC scene with critically acclaimed restaurants, Maharlika and Jeepney. She revolutionized perceptions of Filipino food in the United States, turning bold and authentic flavors into a movement that resonated with diners, critics, and food enthusiasts alike. Her debut cookbook, I Am a Filipino, is a James Beard Award finalist and hailed as a definitive work on Filipino cuisine, celebrated as a cookbook of the year and top lists from The New Yorker, NY Times, LA Times, Saveur, Food and Wine, Chicago Tribune and more. Nicole’s unconventional career journey began in advertising, but but found her true calling in food and culture. By night, she spent a decade in every restaurant role imaginable—hostess, server, bartender, manager—learning the ins and outs of the industry to fulfill her mission. Namely, the creation of Maharlika and Jeepney, two groundbreaking establishments that introduced Filipino dishes like Kamayan feasts to the mainstream and became cultural hubs for the Filipino community and a signal that Filipino food was claiming its seat at the culinary table. You’ll enjoy this conversation blending storytelling, food, and culture This conversation was hosted by FrieMMd of the Pod Lisa Angulo Reid —sharing conversations with Filipino and Asian American changemakers. Lisa also happens to be the Co-Founder & CEO of Dear Flor - the first infused gummy with classic Filipino flavors. Learn more @ DearFlor.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Food is our love language. It's those types of food memories that are straight from the motherland — these are the things we carry with us.” Did you know April was Filipino Food Month? While we’ve all got a Filipino friend (or three), can you name more than one Filipino food besides those amazing tiny spring rolls (Lumpia FTW)? Either way, we’ve got something special for you. Co-host Lisa Angulo Reid (DearFlor.com) put up the Halo-halo Signal and got some amazing Filipino favorite food and restaurant recos from around the country, and unpacks the really really for the rest of us. FILIPINO FOOD MENTIONS Filipino Food & Terms to Know: Lumpia – Thin, crispy spring rolls filled with meat and veggies. Pancit – Stir-fried noodles with julienned carrots, celery, cabbage, and your choice of pork, shrimp, or chicken. Sinigang – A tangy, comforting tamarind-based soup with tomato, onion, and often pork, shrimp, or fish. Caldereta – Hearty beef stew with tomato sauce, liver paste, black pepper, and olives. Pinakbet – A vegetable stew made with eggplant, bitter melon, tomatoes, green beans, and squash, flavored with shrimp paste. Often topped with crispy pork belly (bagnet). Lechon Liempo – Roasted pork belly stuffed with lemongrass, garlic, and onions, slow-cooked until the skin is perfectly crispy. Halo-Halo – A colorful shaved ice dessert with sweet beans, jackfruit, coconut, and palm fruit, topped with ube (purple yam) ice cream and leche flan. Kare-Kare – A rich peanut-based stew featuring oxtail or fried pork belly, served with shrimp paste (bagoong). Dinuguan – Known as "chocolate meat," this savory stew is made of pork and offal simmered in pork blood, vinegar, and garlic. Carinderia (Turo-Turo) – Casual eateries with dishes displayed in steam tables—just point at what you want! FILIPINO FOOD VOICES & THEIR PICKS Lydia Querian (@ellekarayan) – Broke Da Mouth (HI) – Oxtail Adobo (brokedamouthgrindz.co) Brian Velasquez Reid (@breid40ohz) – Naks NYC – Lechon Liempo (naks.nyc) Nicole Ponseca (@nicoleponseca) – Orient Valley (CA) – NYT Best-selling cookbook (amzn.to/4iTosiQ) Geraldine Mae Cueva (@ohhhmygeeg) – Lasita (LA) – Mushroom Sisig: A sizzling dish traditionally made with pork jowl and ears, replaced here with mushrooms. (lasita-la.com) Patricia Dingalasan (@patriciadinglasancomedy) – Kabisera (NYC) – Lumpia Shanghai: Mini crispy spring rolls with seasoned pork. Susie Quesada (@ramarfoods) – Alda’s Kitchen (CA) – Silog Breakfast Plates: A combo of garlic fried rice, egg, and meats like tocino (sweet cured pork) or longganisa (Filipino sausage). (aldaskitchenandbakery.com) Aebbey (@chicagotestkitchen) – Ruby’s Fast Food (Chicago) – Sisig & Pancit Palabok: A noodle dish with a bright orange annatto-based sauce, topped with shrimp, pork, crispy chicharrón, and boiled egg. (rubysfastfoodchicago.com) Ron Dizon (@teofilocoffeecompany) – Teofilo Coffee (Long Beach) – Filipino-imported coffee (teofilocoffeecompany.com) This conversation was co-hosted by FrieMMd of the Pod Lisa Angulo Reid —sharing conversations with Filipino and Asian American changemakers. Lisa also happens to be the Co-Founder & CEO of Dear Flor - the first infused gummy with classic Filipino flavors. Learn more @ DearFlor.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Living in the US was like a hand in a glove for me — I just came here and loved it. Now, my opinion is slowly changing - seeing everything that's happening. But I still miss it because it  made me the person I am today.” Vaib’s a friend of a friend - we were told we should meet because we’d get along. We covered a lot of ground — the political difference between India and America, the role of activism, the role of fear in activism in our modern era, and some of his own healthcare advocacy interests. Given everything going on right now - which we’ve lately avoided on this pod, it just felt like a very necessary conversation for the moment we’re in — so just felt nice to unpack things on my mind, including what my own role is in the current era that we're in in America. No answers, no expectations, just a ranging conversation with a new friend with a similar but different perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“It's important we bring our whole self — that's how you create trust, you bring that vulnerability. I had to learn to let my guard down, and it's made me a better leader.” Susie Quesada is President of Ramar Foods - one of the oldest leading manufacturers of Filipino foods in America. While Ramar is news to most of us - it’s not to the 4M+ Filipino Americans out there - and we’ve all got a Filipino friend (or more than a few). While Susie Quesada grew up in the family's business - starting work at the age of 8 - she actually pursued a career in public education. She later rejoined Ramar full time in 2005 in various positions before assuming the role of President in 2013. For her - it’s all about the legacy that her grandmother and father started. This conversation was hosted by FrieMMd of the Pod Lisa Angulo Reid —sharing conversations with Filipino and Asian American changemakers. Lisa also happens to be the Co-Founder & CEO of Dear Flor - the first infused gummy with classic Filipino flavors. Learn more @ DearFlor.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices