This week on Sweet or Savory, we’re joined by our good friend Albert Posis — Filipino R&B singer, songwriter, and OG YouTube artist — fresh off the release of his brand new album! We dive into the old school YouTube days, the pressure (and guilt) of disappointing your parents while chasing a creative dream, and yes… the art of making the perfect peanut butter and ube sandwich. It’s a nostalgic, funny, and heartfelt convo about music, family, and finding your flavor.
In this quick catch-up episode, we’re talking all things Christmas (yes, already!)—from our new holiday music to what’s coming next. AJ shares details about performing at a charity basketball game and Alyssa laces up for her first-ever game 🏀. Plus, we take a moment to celebrate Filipino American History Month, reflecting on what it means to represent our community through music, storytelling, and everything in between.
Catch our Christmas tour: http://ajrafaelmusic.com
This week we’re catching up with our good friend Alex Aiono! We talk about his new music, the old YouTube days when he seemed to go viral every other week, and what it was like to step away from music to focus on acting and self-growth.
Alex gets real about creativity, taking breaks, and what it’s like being friends with your ex (yes, we go there 👀). It’s a nostalgic, funny, and honest conversation between friends who’ve grown up online—filled with reflection, laughter, and heart.
Grab a snack (sweet or savory) and join us for an episode that feels like a late-night catch-up with old friends.
Our sister Justine Rafael joins us this week for one of our most unhinged and family-filled episodes yet 😅 We catch up on life—starting with our mom’s new beach house 🏖️ (yes, we’re already planning family karaoke nights there). Then we dive into stories about our stepbrothers and stepdad, share hilarious sibling memories, and somehow end up dissecting The Summer I Turned Pretty finale like it’s a college thesis 🌊
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Rafael family convo without a little chaos—so we round it out with unfiltered thoughts on the new Taylor Swift album 🎶 and some truly random “unhinged questions” for Justine that had us crying laughing. Equal parts nostalgia, pop culture, and sibling therapy—you don’t wanna miss this one ❤️
AJ is officially unallergic to dairy again (bring on the pizza and ice cream 🧀🍦) and shares what it’s like going back to church after a long time ⛪. Meanwhile, Alyssa comes armed with the most unhinged questions you could possibly imagine 🤯—the kind that make AJ laugh, sweat, and maybe rethink life choices.
On top of that, we dive into our favorite road trip and date-night games 🚗🎲. From guessing games to silly categories to who-knows-what Alyssa will come up with next, you’ll basically feel like you’re in the backseat with us—minus the snack crumbs.
This one’s equal parts chaos, laughs, and heart. Buckle up.
We’re back with a special episode straight from Hawai‘i! 🌺 In this one, we dive into what makes the islands so special to us, open up about dealing with haters, and share all the details on how you can see us live on our upcoming Christmas tour. A little bit of travel, a little bit of real talk, and a lot of music — tune in for the vibes!
This week, @justineyweeny joins us back on the pod! If you haven’t listened to our previous episodes Can You Be Friends With Your Ex? or Millennial vs. Gen Z, go back and catch those because Justine made appearances there — but this is her first time as a featured guest.
We dive into what it was like growing up in a musical family, how she found her way from dance to musical theatre, and some traumatizing (but funny) stories from childhood — including the infamous one about how she lost her middle finger.
Justine and Alyssa also bond over their love for pop culture and reality TV — from The Bachelor to Love Island to The Summer I Turned Pretty. Is she Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad? Her answer might surprise you.
This week on Sweet or Savory, we’re joined by the incredibly talented Ashley Argota Torres — actor, singer, writer, and producer.
Ashley takes us back to the very beginning of her journey in entertainment, from competing in talent shows to booking her first national tour in The Lion King at age 11, where she even met Kobe Bryant. She went on to star in Nickelodeon’s True Jackson VP alongside Keke Palmer, Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures, Disney Channel’s How to Build a Better Boy, and is now writing and producing her own projects.
We talk about the differences between life as a child actor and navigating the industry today, and Ashley opens up about her exclusive People article, where she shared the truth about her toxic relationship with her mom. She reflects on how becoming a mother gave her the courage to reclaim and tell her story and how that perspective continues to shape both her artistry and her life.
What if we told you that behind some of the greatest musicians in the world is a Filipino music director?
This week, we’re joined by the incredibly talented Troy Laureta: musical director, arranger, producer, and musician for some of the biggest names in the business — from Ariana Grande, David Foster, Katy Perry, and Andrea Bocelli to Filipino icons like Regine Velasquez.
Troy shares his journey as a Filipino American artist, including how his whole family moved from Hawaii to California to pursue the Hollywood dream. He opens up about what it’s really like working at the highest levels of the music industry, how his heritage continues to inspire his work, and the journey of embracing his identity and truly finding himself in his 30s.
We also dive into the creative process behind arranging and producing, the unforgettable moments from his career, and his new album Harana: The Sound of Us — a heartfelt tribute to Filipino music (featuring AJ!).
It’s just us this week! 🎙 For the first time in a while, we’re doing a solo pod to catch you up on everything we’ve been up to — and we’re so glad you’ve been loving all of our incredible guests lately.
We recap about how we got to moderate Kaila Yu’s Fetishized book launch at Barnes & Noble, discuss the update on Maybe Happy Ending casting, and we open up about our own journeys with therapy. We also tease our upcoming Christmas tour… please come!!!🎄🎶
This week, we’re joined by the powerhouse band Siren Society — who you might recognize from Netflix’s Building the Band! 🎶 We chat about how we first met, the epic jam session we hosted at our house, and all the behind-the-scenes tea on what it was really like filming the show.They share how each of them was cast, what it’s like stepping into this new chapter together, and their big plans for the future. And don’t miss our PJB sandwich segment… Vegemite sandwiches made their debut and it was unlike anything we’ve ever done before.Stream their debut single “If It Was Me” now, and pre-save their brand-new single “Stand” dropping August 22!
This week, we’re joined by our friend Francis Dominic - a Filipino American content creator, Lorcana champion, and Labubu lover who you may have seen lighting up red carpets at movie premieres.
We talk about his growth as a creator, advice he has for aspiring creators, how he stays present while living life online, and what it’s like to blend work and passion. Francis also shares the story of how he was trusted to manage socials for the biggest event in our lives… our wedding!
In this episode, we sit down with writer, former model, and OG MySpace star Kaila Yu to talk about her new book Fetishized. Kaila opens up about her journey through the spotlight — from living in the Inland Empire and internet fame to unpacking the stereotypes and cultural expectations she’s faced as an Asian woman in the public eye. We dive into identity, representation, and the power of telling your own story.
n this episode, we sit down with singer, actor, and former U-KISS K-pop star Kevin Woo to talk about his incredible journey — from leaving the U.S. as a teenager to train as a K-pop idol in Korea, to starring in KPOP: The Musical on Broadway, to voicing Mystery Saja in K-pop Demon Hunters on Netflix, which hit #1 in 26 countries and topped 93 charts.
Kevin opens up about the pressures of the K-pop industry, the culture shock of moving across the world so young, and how he’s evolved personally and professionally through each chapter of his life.
We also ask the question: What’s harder — K-pop training or Broadway training? His answer might surprise you. 👀
In this episode, we’re joined by our French Pinay friend HeyoLeah 🇫🇷🇵🇭🇩🇿We dive into her experience growing up between two cultures, what it’s like living between France and the Philippines, and how she stays deeply connected to both sides of her identity.She also teaches us some French slang (you’ll wanna take notes), tells the hilarious story of her first visit to our house, and how she helped AJ save a squirrel.And for the classic Sweet or Savory moment… Leah skips the sandwich altogether and makes the first-ever peanut butter charcuterie board on the pod 🥜🧀✨http://instagram.com/heyoleahhttp://instagram.com/sweetorsavorypod
In this episode, we sit down with artist Jesse Barrera — Grammy winning writer, guitarist from My American Heart, multi-platinum producer, and lowkey fashion icon — to talk about the wild ride of being in a band, stepping behind the board, and stepping back out as an artist again. We get real about flops, staying inspired, and finding your voice in every era of your career.
And in a special (and delicious) moment, Jesse’s wife Gracie joins us to settle one of life’s most important debates: what is the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich?
Jesse Barrera's new album, Gentle Noise, is OUT NOW on all streaming platforms!
Who lost their virginity to AJ's music?!?! And why did someone get kicked off of Love Island for anti-Asian slurs? We also talk family reunions and quality time with some of our besties.
Excited for next week's episode with The Barreras!
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In this episode of Sweet or Savory, we chat with the amazing Cathy Nguyen about the OG YouTube days, going viral with Strangers Again, and her early grind at Boiling Crab. She opens up about navigating divorce and being a mamacita. And we are making peanut butter sandwiches with her daughter Isla!!!
Enjoy!
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In this episode of Sweet or Savory, recap Love Island chaos (we finally get the hype, introduce our Labubus, and unpacking some of the internet’s favorite theories around love, relationships, and the age-old question: are soulmates real? 💭
Stick around ’til the end for an exciting announcement… 👀
In this episode, we’re joined by Ryan Alexander Holmes, actor, athlete, and activist, who gets real about what it means to be 100% Chinese, 100% Black, and fully himself in an industry that often tries to simplify identity.
We talk about his upbringing with a Chinese mother and Black father, navigating Hollywood as a biracial actor, and how he’s using his platform to shift culture and build community. He also shares what he’s diving into for his upcoming doctorate at UCLA (every Asian parent’s dream), and surprises us with a totally unexpected twist on the classic PB&J that no guest has done before.
It’s one of our most raw, inspiring, and deep conversations we’ve had on the podcast.
