The EWB Podcast: Recent Episodes
Emile Wang
Imagine a better Bill Simmon's podcast without the million dollar deal with spotify. Join me and special guests as we talk hoops, movies, lifestyle, culture, and more!
This may not age well - but Warriors end it tonight! James and I talk Wiggins vs Tatum, rotational pieces, Kerr's coaching, and finally how game 6 will be won.
Also some fun facts about Brian Windhorst and Danny Granger in there.
Enjoy!
Yes I know it's been a while, but there's no way I would sit out a GSW return to the finals. So I've dusted off the mic and called up my boy James! Hear us (unedited) chat about the legacy that's on the line (yes I know that KD was pretty good), the Celtics offensive woes (other than game 1 4th Quarter of course), defensive schemes, and what we should do about Klay. Hope we can roll out a few more during the finals for you guys - it really is a special time!
Chase Center finally has something to be pumped about!
Apologies to the faithful, after a very long hiatus, the pod is back! The pod hits the restart by addressing the incredible GSW start to the 2021 season! Join us for some throwback discussions on Alliyah, Mookie Blaylock, and Jason Terry before diving into what factors of this new roster have contributed to the success. Is it JP's improvement, or is it the additions of Bjelica and Porter Junior? Finally we wrap it up with a discussion of the Box 1 defense, and how/why it could work against us and why we could implement it now. It's great to be back!
*note - this was recorded before the 1-1 start to the roadtrip. James and I will have even more to chat about next time...
An episode recorded shortly after it was determined the Grizz/Warriors showdown Sunday would be significant! No fancy cuts - just straight to the point.
Join James and I as we talk through our thoughts on the playin format, what the next few days look like for GSW (rest!), discussion about the rotation, and finally predictions for our showdown for play-in seeding against a very young Grizzlies team. Something to get you hyped up Friday before the big showdown!
Jeff Liu is back for some reviews! The episode starts with us talking about how hyped we are for Mortal Kombat, and then at get into the meat of reviewing the first two episodes of Kung Fu. Hear us discuss how this show can work with a CW formula and take this as an opportunity to tackle diverse subjects (10:55), the talents of Tzi Ma and the family dynamics (23:10), a very special Tony corner where we predict his character's role (29:30), and finally our thoughts on how the action sequences will develop within the show (36:30). Enjoy!
*Editor's note: I qualified the Mortal Kombat actors as being Asian Americans - I recognize I am incorrect as Lewis Tan is from England, and Ludi Lin is Canadian. Apologies!
Why would this episode have a picture of Tobias Funke? No reason at all really, other than for the first 30 seconds of the episode!
The Warriors have some interesting decisions to make with Kelly Oubre and James Wiseman, and how much they want to commit to this small ball identify. Join James and me in discussing how we see this season unfolding, and more importantly how to approach the offseason with these two players.
From the dapper photo you can see that the EWB podcast is getting some additional star power! Actor Tony Chung stops in to share his journey, from pursuing his dream of being a singer in Taiwan (9:40), to life as a model in New York City (25:10), and finally the opportunity for him to become a series regular on the CW show "Kung Fu" (37:20). It was awesome to hear Tony reflect on lessons learned in various industries abroad, as well as share insight into some of the series' stars (Olivia Liang's awesomeness and Tzi Ma's wisdom) and the opportunity the show has to address some very relevant issues to the world today.
Whether you're curious about a wide range of industries Tony's been involved with, or you're an old friend that just wants to hear about what he's been up to - check it out!
*small editor's note: Tony had incorrectly referenced Carly Fiorina as the former CEO of EBay during the recording - he told me after the recording he'd meant to say Hewlett Packard!
Will this happen a third time?
James and I check in on the first 1/4 of this nba season - Steph MVP chatter, rotation challenges, James Wiseman, and finally where we picture this team ending up record wise. Enjoy!
Jeff and Alex join me for an incredibly fun podcast/adventure experience - Dani and Bill of Escape This Podcast were kind enough to guide us in an audio escape experience!
The episode starts with a brief intro of what their podcast is all about, before transitioning into an escape game akin to the experiences they host on their pod. It's a fairly long episode but certainly a fun one - join us for this very innovative puzzle solving experience! And certainly keep your eyes/ears open, as this is part of a beginning of a larger experience for yours truly!
*note if you want the visual clue for the puzzle that took us about 3 days to solve, you can find it here.
At least we don't have to watch this roster again.
A raw uncut episode ahead of the season opener! Join James and I as we discuss the addition of Oubre, the roles of Wiggins/Wiseman/Green, the importance of Steph, pick and roll strategy, and finally a bit of why the Linsanity Exhibit 10 never worked out. We wrap this up with some predictions for the season - find out if we think we're going to be world champs again!
Hint - that's a no.
Go Dubs!
Is Kelly Oubre worth potentially 40 million a year of salary and tax combined?
I feel like the NBA season just ended, but we are back! In order to stay relevant in a whirlwhind of trade talks ahead of the NBA draft, James and I touch base about the new-look Suns, Bucks, and soon-to-be gutted Rockets. We then move into what are potential GSW draft decisions, mid level targets, and most importantly who can we use the trade exception on given all of the tax challenges and current personnel. A good chance to get caught up on the NBA - enjoy!
Welcome to Part 2 of the Halloween Special!
Alex returns to join me in discussing the Blair Witch Project, a staple of the found footage genre (and something we should pay close attention to for inspiration!). Join us as we talk about what makes found footage special, the benefit of a crafty marketing campaign in the late 90s, the specific creepy elements of getting lost in the woods with dudes who decide a map is worthless, and finally hear if Alex and I have decided to quit our jobs to make a horror film. This is still a concept episode so the episode jumps right in, so enjoy!
I'd like to introduce a side project and new guest to the pod!
Alex Shrode and I love horror films, and our dream is to one day quit our jobs and make our own. In the spirit of Halloween (and recent news of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot), take a listen to a concept episode where Alex and I review this classic horror film. Hear us talk about why we love slashers, old school scream queens, family dynamics, and why a little bit of film lore can take you a long way. And keep your eyes and ears peeled, because found footage and haunted houses are coming up!
Thank that man right there for the gift of another NBA game!
James drops by to discuss the struggles of the Lakers in game 5, some impressive Heat stats and shooting from Duncan Robinson, and finally some shades of the 2016 NBA Finals. Let's hope we get one more game (and maybe one more episode!). Enjoy!
Jared Dudley game 5 MVP. You heard it here first.
Real quick solo episode ahead of what may be the final NBA game of the season. Short thoughts on the Miami defensive strategy holding up over 3 games, Lebron's impressive years of dominance (where are all the We Believe guys now?), and finally appreciating what could be the last game of professional basketball in a while. Enjoy!
Not sure how to caption this one other than... Heat gotta protect their balls?
Laker superfan Lee Way Lan drops by to give some thoughts on the NBA (bubble) Finals! Hear him as he boasts about the King, and how he expects the Lakers to dominate this cute Heat team in the NBA Finals. As a bonus hear some predictions on offseason plans for Duncan Robinson, and also an excellent Doc Rivers impression. Enjoy!
Should've had the Clippers on for my social distancing series.
James and I do a quick recap on the failure of the Clippers, Nuggets/Lakers matchup, and other predictions for the NBA Finals. Also some random trade ideas thrown around, with a bold bet that involves the integrity of this podcast. Enjoy!
The pod welcomes another new guest - join Austin Chiu and I as we discuss our experiences in a volunteer group that we were involved with back in my younger days. With extensive experience in the nonprofit world, Austin is able to shed some light on topics that I was once upon a time very pessimistic about. An honest discussion about the theory of change, personal egos/our own capabilities in making impacts, selling an image to outsiders, and finally the kind of impression we hope to leave on in a time of tension. Enjoy!
*And a big shoutout to all the people who were also part of my experience doing TC!
Now why would we have a picture of K-Pop star Hyuna as this episode image? Listen and find out!
The NBA is back, and that means the Genio James Liao makes his return to talk about bubble basketball! Listen as we talk about the important (?) seeding games, potential 8-9 "playoff" elimination matchups, challenges that some of the favorites are facing, some thoughts on the basketball product itself, and finally the effectiveness of the bubble in both a safety standpoint and as a social justice platform. It's so good to be back talking hoops again (even if it's not GSW) - enjoy!
I guess those from Vegas come in pairs!
New guests Andy Kao and Cindy Sun join me to share their incredible experience operating Las Vegas' first Slaters' 50/50! A very interesting episode as they discuss surviving the pandemic as a small business, a glimpse into what the future holds for dining experiences, and finally a thoughtful discussion on the importance of building a good company culture and staying involved in the community. So grateful I had this chance to catch up with these two as my final guests in this series. Enjoy!
- Finally another city on the Street Fighter map!
The pod gets yet another new guest in the form of Jesse Rushworth, a former coworker of mine surviving the madness in New York City. Join us as we discuss the initial response to the government orders, the importance of masks, the attitude of New Yorkers to adjusting to these new norms, and finally an interesting discussion on where our the architecture/construction industry is heading. A really good episode with a fresh perspective from the heart of the pandemic in the US. Take a listen!
Hey if the episode photo is of the Taiwanese countryside, does this make it a good podcast episode?
Ja and I do a deep dive into the highly anticipated "Tigertail", which tells the tale (no pun intended) of a Taiwanese immigrant. Join us as we discuss what is important to be shared in an immigrant story, poor accents (and not the ones that come with speaking English), and finally whether or not this was way too ambitious of a story to tell for a PG film. Find out if we give this film two Wangs up!
My former back court runningmate Ja joins me for some thoughts on living in Taiwan at the initial onset of the COVID pandemic, discussions about how culture impacts the approach toward flattening the curve, winners and losers of this newfound freetime, and finally some thoughts on NBA Basketball. Another great episode with a new guest. Enjoy!
*And stay tuned for a bonus episode where Ja and I review the newly released Taiwanese (?) film Tigertail.
He's a grown-ass man who can play video games when he wants to!
Javier Pordoy rejoins the pod to talk about social distancing in New Orleans. Join us as we discuss challenges the city is facing, living with informed mothers during a crisis, and as usual some personal reflections on the situation. Fun episode to hear about what Pretty Boy Pordoy is doing these days in the Big Easy, as well as an episode cap that is a good reflection back to our early days of being envelope consultants worrying about job security. Enjoy!
Look at banner, Michael!
The rewatch party is finally here! James and I rewatch Game 6 of the incredible "We Believe" Warriors 1st round upset over the Mavs in 2007. Join us as we discuss the highlights of the Warriors roster, the unraveling of Dirk, and a whole bunch of "oh sh*t that's ______!" moments!
Seriously a fun experience to look back on a very fond memory, and I'm glad (without an NBA season) we were able to do this.
For those that want to sync up the watch party, video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2c3BNc-nLw&t=3825s
Without NBA basketball, what ARE we doing with our time?
A quick episode ahead of our We Believe Game 6 upset of the Mavericks Rewatch Party, as James and I talk about what we've seen from Andrew Wiggins (what we remember anyway), the not-so-talented draft class, and finally salary implications on the NBA as a result of this pandemic.
Stay tuned as I anticipate releasing the full episode of our Game 6 Rewatch Party in early May!
Hey, a city that's actually on the Street Fighter 2 map!
I head from Singapore to Las Vegas, where I catch up with former contributor Eric Suen and new guest Chee Lim! Join us as we talk about the disasters and social distancing in Sin City, thoughts on how tourism may bounce back, and a little bit of education for yours truly on what "bat soup" is. Also included are some more personal reflections, including risky Seattle trips, unfortunate wedding celebration cancellations, and some callbacks to when a grown ass man used to drive a 15 year old boy to watch summer league games. Enjoy!
With a name like his, he NEEDS to stay in Asia! (Just kidding man, hope you come back soon!)
The EWB pod gets a new guest Yen Min Chu! Join us as he shares his experience living in Singapore amid this pandemic, including discussions about government oversight and information sharing, citizens buying into the process, his own personal thoughts as someone in finance, and finally some NBA basketball thoughts.
A fun episode that shares a unique perspective from halfway around the world, with a personal intro that gives a nod to a personal favorite moment during Linsanity. Enjoy!
*note this episode was taped a week ago, so a few things have changed since then.
Lifetime Films presents - New Asian Doc, starring nobody from Crazy Rich Asians.
Previous contributor Tan Nguyen shares his experience as a physician during this pandemic. Join us as Tan sheds light on the challenges of working with limited test kits, what kind of medical advice people should expect, challenges with managing fellow peers given the safety concerns, and finally some personal reflections. A really good episode that provides a more in-depth look at some of the challenges our health care professionals are facing, and I'm super grateful he was able to take the time while at work to talk. Enjoy!
Hide yo kids, hide yo wife, George is raising some panic!
A very informative episode where I check in with story-teller/bio-statistician/investment enthusiast George Wu. Join us as we discuss the spread of viruses, how our bodies are affected, possible treatments, and the concept of flattening the curve. George also shares knowledge about the financial implications of the virus, how small businesses are being affected, and how our bailouts will benefit the larger businesses.
For those of you who know George, it's rare to see this kind of excitement when discussing something. This is a super educational episode that provides the perspective from a close friend who is very passionate about the issue. Enjoy!
*note - since reporting this episode more information has come out about the proposed stimulus package. George recommends listeners take a look at this article to see what's in store - https://mattstoller.substack.com/p/stop-the-6-trillion-coronavirus-corporate
It haaaaaas begun!!!! (OK wrong game, but still super proud of the Microsoft Paint work)
As the majority of us begin our lives home sheltering (large kudos to those in the medical field), join me as I check in with all members of the EWB family and see how they are handling the pandemic. Listen to part 1 of the series as Jeff and I discuss the mishandling of information (
Hey - a movie about crazy rich Asians that doesn't suck!
Jeff Liu and I talk the Oscar winner "Parasite", the first foreign language film to win Best Picture. Join as as we discuss previous South Korean cinema, the comedy/thriller elements of this film, each of the family members' motivations (what was the son going to do with the rock at the end?), and finally thoughts on how this moves the needle for Asian Americans in Hollywood (spoiler - that's a big, proud, f*ck yes from your host). Enjoy!
Kobe/Kanye were great marketers for Nike!
Ahead of the All-Star Game, which I'm sure will be riddled with Kobe Bryant tributes, take a listen as I have a discussion with longtime Kobe/Laker fan (and former EWB contributor!) Leeway Lan. Hear his thoughts on his initial reactions to the news, some self reflection, and some of his favorite memories. We also discuss questionable gametime decisions (game 7 against Phoenix), a streak of airballs as a rookie, some stellar Mamba Mentality advertising, and finally some thoughts on the Lakers for the 2019-2020 season (and a Leeway Barkley-esque "guaaarranteeee"!).
Meet the man who brings us back to basketball relevancy, Andrew Wiggins!
James and I regroup to discuss a very active trade deadline, focusing in on the very controversial D-Lo for Wiggins trade. While what happens on the basketball is still a part of this episode, James also does a great job of explaining why the financial implications were just as critical, and how getting out of the repeater tax put us in a better position despite the contract we took on. Sprinkled in there are some great names of Warriors lore, as well as a Kobe/GSW memory. Enjoy!
A little bit of a different episode for the EWB fanbase, but I think this podcast would be doing a disservice to the sport if I did not reflect on the passing of Kobe.
Join me as I reflect on his legacy - including how he willed one of the most garbage teams in NBA history to the playoffs, his status as a villain, and ultimately how in my eyes I felt like part of me matured with him. Sprinkled in there is a hot take on Linsanity, my displeasure with the use of the Charlie Puth song, and my thoughts on the Mamba Mentality.
I want to note that I do address how people grieve, and one touchy subject I address is the passing of his daughter Gianna Bryant. As a father now, losing a child is something unfathomable, and (while I do present a conflicting take on how the community is remembering her) I do want to make sure that what isn't lost in my rambling is my understanding that her death is incredibly heartbreaking.
A pregnancy hasn't stopped the Ewangbang team from recording episodes (though may have delayed the release of them!).
James and I recorded an episode right before the Christmas Day Miracle (and now 4 game win streak), however the episode still remains relevant to the current state of the Warriors. Despite being far from playoff contention the team still has some interesting roster decisions, particularly D-Lo's trade value (for who and when), current vets (keep GR3 or Burks), and some other random tidbits. Enjoy!
Come see my new baby, hee-hai!
The Ewangbang team has a very special holiday season treat, as we have TWO fatherhood announcements. Both Jeff Liu and I have little bundles of joy on the way, and we decided to take some time to reflect. A very cool episode where one of my best friends of 25 years and I sit down to discuss why we never talked much about children, our fears of parenting, and how grateful we are to be married to our wives. This one has been particularly memorable for me as we move forward into this next huge stage of our lives. Hope you all enjoy!
Star Wars reminds us that we can all Rebel!
After a high-production intro to the episode, join Jeff and I for a movie palooza where we share thoughts ahead of the new Star Wars film, discuss Six Underground (terrible) and Us (questionable), talk about why we don't get the "Let it Go" phenomenon, and finally our differing expectations on the live action "Mulan".
This is part 1 of a very long pod session with Jeff - stay tuned for a very exciting part 2 that discusses something entirely different!
The current status of the Warriors reminds us of the glory days when Thunder was our mascot.
James and I surprisingly have a lot to talk about, despite the 2-6 record! Hear our thoughts on Steph's injury, new pieces to the team (placed our orders for Paschall and Bowman jerseys already!), and finally some super-legitimate trade ideas that involve Karl Anthony Towns. Enjoy!
What do you get when 3 EWangBanger's descend the Joker staircase?
A review of a terrible movie. Previous contributor Dan Luddy joins Jeff Liu and I as we review this trainwreck of a movie, that somehow is receiving a lot of buzz. There were positives (acting and cinematography), however the bonkers story, absurdity of citizens of Gotham (aka South Park), ridiculous attempt at social commentary, and finally the lack of any resemblance of who the Joker is makes this a movie that is Liu rant-worthy. A fun episode review that hopefully makes listeners reflect - "what was the punchline of this Joker movie?"
For listeners who missed the movie preview, check out episode 60 for part 1.
Marquese, our savior.
The GSW season starts Thursday, but first James and I must recap the preseason/playoff series vs the LA Lakers! Join us as we talk the play of our new acquisitions, the Criss for Zo swap, and finally some thoughts on Klay. Basketball's back and this is the best way to get back into it!
It's almost like Google made an image with this episode in mind!
Jeff Liu joins me to talk the much-hyped "The Joker" film, starring Joaquin Phoenix. Join us as we talk the storied comic book history of The Clown Prince of Crime, a review of the 5 most notable Jokers before Joaquin Phoenix (we love you Jared Leto~~~~~!), reasons for why this movie will lead to disappointment regardless of how great it is, and finally Jeff Liu's ideal Joker film. An incredibly fun episode that recaps over fifty years of the portrayal of this timeless character, and a Jeff Liu table read at the very end that can not be topped in this lifetime. Enjoy!
Three guys + two balls = Another new guest with some new wisdom to share!
Though originally intended to be a 2019 Miles Part 3 discussion, Michael Jin has an incredible story to share about losing 35 pounds over a year plus. Join Mike, myself, and former EWangBang contributor George Wu as we discuss the dedication it took, obstacles our lifestyles may pose to commit to that kind of weight loss, and finally a life changing experience that helped change Mike's perspective on life.
A fun experience taped in person (over drinks) in my cozy living room with two of my best childhood friends. Enjoy!
An ode to Warrior great Treveon Graham who became a casualty of the NBA hard cap.
Jsmes is back talking the NBA off-season, with this episode being a GSW focus. Hear our thoughts on Draymonds contract extension, Klays health, key additions, a good explanation of the hard cap from James, and finally a 17 million dollar reason why we should be excited for the 20-21 season. Enjoy!
Presenting the cast of Gone in 17 Seconds (in another epic microsoft paint job)!
The pod welcomes a new guest - Leeway Lan! Jeff Liu and I get to interview someone with an amazing story that tells the trials and tribulations of someone trying to making it on the big screen. After an introduction of Leeway and his early beginnings in Taiwan, hear him discuss meeting the great David Tao (26:20), a memorable project in Aura Boroughs (32:10), his role on the FX show Legion (45:50), and finally some great thoughts on Asian Americans in Hollywood (1:02:15). A great episode talking about dedication, good relationships, and (most importantly) butts/stunt butts. A fun episode of those who are interested in hearing what it's like trying to succeed in entertainment, or for those of you who just want to hear what Leeway's been up to. Enjoy!
A couple of links to Leeway's work discussed on the pod -
Legion appearance
Aura Boroughs
David Tao Music Video
If I had sacrificed myself for the world, would I have done it knowing this podcast was ok in Jeff Liu's hands?
Join us as we talk "Spiderman Far from Home", as we discuss the supposedly great father/son bond between Iron Man and Spidey, and Emile Wang rant on how terrible high school comedy/romance/teen girl humor tied into this film, Mysterio's comic book backstory and movie portrayal, and finally some predictions for future MCU films (Spiderman: Homeward Bound?). Enjoy!!!
End of the season summarized in one photo.
After a month hiatus I'm back with a solo episode! A few shoutouts to start the episode (in particular The Room Escape Divas!), and we go straight into my thoughts on the series-ending Game 6, thoughts on Kerr's coaching, past use of the mid-level exception, and finally some reasons for optimism in the coming year. Consider this episode a primer for what's to come - keep your eyes out for a part 2 in depth free agency/GSW roster construct with James Liao.
We'll get this for you KD.
The Ewangbang podcast refuses to let significant events in these NBA finals slip through the cracks. James and I cover the wild game 5 finish, the play of the Splash brothers, defense on Kawhi, the Boogie Cousins roller coaster, roster construct/how we plan to find enough points in game 6, our predictions, and finally our thoughts on the KD injury. A can't miss episode as we go into the final Warrior game at Oracle Arena. Go Warriors!
Episode photo is a a hint for what's to come next time the EWangbang pod talks hoops...Let's go Phoenix Suns!
Kidding aside (maybe?), no opening music, this episode is all business. James and I talk the success of the Raptors in this NBA Finals, gripes about coaching strategies and egos (damnit Boogie), some not so good load management in game 3, and finally predictions and an impact that #35 guy can have on this series. Really hope we'll have at least one more episode talking this series. Go Dubs!
Jetlagged but was able to record before the start of the NBA Finals! Join James and I as we talk briefly on the Portland series, the effectiveness of the Raptor's D (how will they guard the pick and roll?), guard matchups, Kawhi's playmaking ability, and finally some predictions (spoiler alert, we didn't pick the same team to win).
Enjoy!
Recorded and uploaded in a haste, so no Microsoft paint work today. Someone switch KD out for Looney in that photo.
Quick solo episode following game 2, talking the pick and roll (what else), blazers defense, and finally the odd (but effective?) Warriors rotation. Finally some predictions on how the series wraps up. Enjoy!
Happy 50th Episode!
Jeffrey Liu and I recorded our review of Endgame last week, but to give everyone a chance to see it we decided to hold off releasing this episode until now. Hear our takes on the scattered storylines, character sendoffs, time travel (consistent or not?), and finally a famous Jeff Liu rant about the scene that I will refer to as the Captain Marvel Red Rover scene. A really fun episode for those who saw the 3 hour epic, and also want an opportunity to reflect on the events more than a decade in the making. Enjoy!
Fantastic paint jobs strike again!
Despite me being on the road in Minny, the pod maintains its commitment to up to date and timely episodes! James and I discuss what has worked so far in getting the Warriors the 2-0 lead - great defense, Kevin Durant, offensive rebounds (along with some random stats from early 2000's Warriors great Danny Fortson), and a fire that's been lit underneath them. Oh and contrary to what I say in the beginning, we DO talk about the refereeing and the stat happy Rockets. The episode wraps up with some bold predictions. Spoiler alert, the only reason the Warriors would go back to Houston after game 4 is to eat Taco Cabana. Enjoy!
In honor of having Jeff Liu guest on the pod to talk GSW hoops, a little throwback photo from our 6th grade basketball days!
The 1st round is wrapped up, and with a short turnaround to the second series the EWangBang pod is committed to providing timely feedback! Join us as we talk about what kind of fire was lit under the Warriors after the first series, matchup challenges for the series against the Rockets, and our predictions.
As a sign of protest for the shitty basketball we watched Monday night, this episode gets no Microsoft Paint work, no intro/outro music, no James Liao - just me.
Listen to a solo episode talking poor clock management, turnovers, our big man rotation, and finally KDs strange passivity.
Maybe Magic quit so he could be a Warrior fan.
The NBA playoffs are here! James and I start the pod touching on the chaos in Los Angeles, and at 9 minutes we share thoughts on the Warriors/Clippers series. Enjoy, and let's go Warriors!
One of my finest Microsoft Paint jobs yet!
Jeff Liu and I review Marvel's most recent superhero film "Captain Marvel". In standard Emile Wang fashion I thought this highly-rated movie was in fact awful, and (to my surprise) Jeff Liu appears to be in less favor of this film than I would have thought. Listen as we discuss a scale of power problem, a lack of character identity of Carol Danvers, a ham-fisted girl power message, terrible attempts at nostalgia-related humor, how Captain Marvel fits in with Marvel Phase 4, and finally some predictions on Avenger's End Game. A second episode that I taped while sick with some technology issues, so apologies again for some struggles!
Throwback photo at Oracle!
James and I had a very disappointing final trip to Oracle when they played the Mavs last week. But that didn't stop us from doing this pod! Join us as we reflect on a poor ticket-buying decision, discuss a huge game against the Nuggets with playoff implications, the return of Andrew Bogut,, the play of DeMarcus Cousins, the strange play of Kevin Durant, sidebars on the NCAA tournament and finally who are our ideal first round matchups. Recorded when I was sick, sorry about the sniffles!
Calling all comic book nerds, Marvel Movie fans, or people who want to see Asian Americans succeed in Hollywood, this episode is for you!
Marvel has announced that they are fast-tracking their first superhero movie with an Asian protagonist, and Jeff Liu and I are on it! Join us as we discuss the history of the character Shang Chi, his relationship to Fu Man Chu (yes, THAT Fu Man Chu), a discussion about scale of powers in superhero universes, some good casting possibilities for Shang Chi, and finally what kind of movie we would like to see as both Marvel fans and as Asian mericans (along with some bold predictions!). A can't miss episode if you want to get ahead of all the hype - enjoy!
Well, that didn't happen (Sorry Lake Show!).
James Liao joins me for a trade-deadline focused episode, where we discuss our thoughts on the quiet western conference, what deal is the best for Anthony Davis, how the East is suddenly incredibly impressive, who I am most afraid of to meet in the finals, and finally some names on the buyout market. Also aalittle bit of history lesson of why we think Allen Houston is still being paid by the Knicks. Enjoy!
Victory fists are back! The pod welcomes new guest Javier Pordoy, a good friend/coworker of mine who also participated in the 2019 Miles challenge. Join us as we review our running experiences, reflect on our glory days of New York, and how talk about how our respective new cities have changed our lifestyle. Sprinkled throughout are some awesome (?) impersonations, a demonstration of my quality Spanish, and some Asian Culture 101 for the one white guy on the team. Enjoy!
For those new listeners who wish to donate money to Charity Water, check out the link here
High five, Boogie!
Short episode where James and I discuss our observations from DeMarcus Cousin's first few games in the lineup - some pluses on the offensive end, some concerns on D, and how this impacts Kevin Looney a bonus brief history lesson on the time the Warriors brought Chris Webber back to the team. Enjoy!
We did it!!!1111 (and also took a flattering photo!)
Join members of the 2019 Miles Team (Tan Nguyen, Jeff Liu, George Wu, and Emile Wang) as we discuss our experiences committing to the task of running roughly 2 miles a day over the course of 6 months. Listen to our thoughts on the physical toll of this exercise, getting short ego boosts, lessons in time management (and my irrational hate for Blue Apron), and some of our goals moving forward.
One of my favorite episodes where I was able to catch up with a group of good friends who had joined me in this commitment. And for those who have pledged or still wish to donate, check out our donation page here!
Also as a side note, my fellow guests all have their own passion projects discussed on the pod, and I did want to make sure they were accessible to my listeners -
George Wu's blog The Funnel
Tan Nguyen (and wife Helen Chou)'s Book Review Website The Busy Reader
Chef Jeffrey Liu's Instgram Scratch Made Sundays
Happy New Year! Coming off a horrific overtime loss to a beaten up Houston team, James and I reflect on specific issues that we have noticed through this first half of the season.
As the Warriors try to save their season in the same fashion KD tried to save that ball last night, hear our New Year's resolutions for the players and coaches, and how ultimately this always comes back to "what can we do about Draymond". Enjoy!
(In the interest of the experience being fresh in our listener's minds, this episode was uncut so pardon any technological issues!)
Welcome to a new segment on the pod! Wangbangin' Storytellin' begins with guest George Wu telling the tale of the mysterious Ghost Pooper.
Listen as I start with a short tale in the bathroom stall, and at the 4:45 mark George tells a story of an office pooper who has terrorized the stalls of his restroom. A hilarious oral history of George's investigation into the culprit, some knowledge about good pooping technique, and finally a public service announcement on the risks of straying from the norm. Enjoy!
A solo episode where my poor "hot takes" remind me of why I need the Genio James Liao on the pod. Listen to hear some thoughts on the high scoring offenses early in the season, our center rotation, and the bench gems we have found ourselves with. Also I reflect on a poor decision I made in the last pod episode.
Also, stay tuned for the next episode of my new storytelling series - "The Ghost Pooper" with George Wu!
Warrior Wangbang Wednesdays are back! As you can tell from the photo, James snuck his way into Key Arena and joined me for a preseason NBA game between the Warriors and Kings in Seattle. Hear thoughts on Key Arena, random Sonics trivia, discussions about our current roster construct/key additions, our Western Conference competition, and finally our picks for the top 3 Eastern Conference team where I make a dark horse pick to be the #2. Basketball is back, baby!
Let's keep it simple. I thought this movie was bad. Jeff Liu defends it with a passion. Listen to us talk some positives, whether or not the character development was lacking, if the movie teetered between ridiculous and serious way too much, and ultimately what were Asian Americans trying to accomplish. A long, heated (yet fun) conversation that I hope let's us all reflect on what we would like to see when we have a shot in Hollywood.
Apologize for some sound issues, had to record without the pop filter!
The EWB Pod gets another new guest! Meet Joey Lee, VR Game Designer of the new game Reiko's Fragments. Jeff Liu and George Wu join Joey and I as we discuss Joey's inspirations for the video game our experiences playing the demo, some horror tips from George Wu, jokes about ethnic dolls, and finally how Joey's life has become his own Silicon Valley.
I highly recommend checking out the game's promo video before listening to the episode - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVB4fYIAi_M
The EwangBang Podcast gets a new guest! As 6 members of the EWangBang family begin our ambitious journey to run a combined 2019 miles from now until the end of the year (while raising money!), listen to blogger George Wu and I discuss the super-human David Goggins, the importance of motivation, self-discipline, and reflections on how our upbringing with Asian parents affected us. All in the while, reflecting on our glory years past of playing Starcraft, learning musical instruments, and our own commitments that we may or may not have been able to maintain over the years.
George does an amazing job providing new perspective on self-motivation and discipline, explaining that developing the discipline itself is in its own way the reward. Check out the blog that inspired this episode, as well as this exercise project that we have decided to undergo. - https://metygl.wordpress.com/2018/06/10/paying-the-price/
My second solo episode, coming to you off the heels of a wonderful July 4th in Seattle!
Episode starts off with brief thoughts/fun facts as a spectator at the Special Olympics, hear about some impressive scores in the bowling competition (and a sidebar into childhood babysitting strategies from Momma Wang), and finally why an event like this is a reminder that this country is far from hopeless.
At 7:00, I discuss my thoughts on Lebron's move to LA. Hear my thoughts on how this year the Lakers do not have a team put together to be relevant from a competitive standpoint, how I predict Lebron's first year in LA playing out, and ultimately how the move to LA (and away from Cleveland/Miami) was what he needed for his legacy. Enjoy!
- the spectacular photoshop job for once is not credited to members of the EWangbang team.
The Warriors have begun a dynasty, winning 3 championships in the past 4 years! Listen as your resident hoops expert admits to making a mistake while the GenioJames chastises him, discussions about Cavs/Warriors personnel, a debate about the meaningless NBA Finals MVP award, and a very loose discussion about some players the Warriors can target in the offseason (Jeff Green baby!). Enjoy!
After an NBA playoff hiatus, movie reviews are back! Join Jeff Liu and I as we review the summer blockbuster "Avengers - Infinity War Part 1". Hear our thoughts on the MCU's buildup to this event, Thanos as a tragic hero with Watchmen/Ozymandius parallels, a little comic book history of Thanos, the highly anticipated character interactions on screen, the disappointments of the action, and discussions of why Jeff and I disagreed on whether or not this was a good movie. Sprinkled throughouts are shoutouts to JR Smith, my love for Fat Amy in Pitch Perfect, and a very poor Michael Pena impression. Enjoy!
Who's ready for Round 4 of the Cavs/Warriors NBA Finals?
Episode starts off on a short solo WCF series recap, starting with the glaring "MVP"/Coaching issues of the Houston Rockets, as well as thoughts on how Steve Kerr was able to pull one of the best Rope-A-Dope's of all time (shoutout to Ali, as well as the artistic talents of Adam Chang!). Then James joins me as we review the Cavaliers matchup, discussing potential impact players not-named Lebron James, offensive strategies, a potential surprise hero from the depths of our bench, and finally predictions. Let's go Warriors!
*apologies for the sound for the past two episodes as I am mid-move. Hoping we will be back to the normal setup by next episode!
A raw, uncut, unedited, and creatively recorded episode ahead of game 7. James and I discuss how we were able to get back into our offensive groove in game 6, critical bench minutes, our defensive scheme's on Harden and Gordon, and finally how we should plan to guard IsoJo (kidding?). Go Warriors!
With no disrespect to Antawn Jamison, were these the assholes playing in the place of our four-allstar lineup in the 4th quarter last night? Hear my first solo episode where I give a quick summary of the course of game 4 of the western conferemce finals, the backbreaking play that WASN'T the one where Klay forgot how to call timeout, seferal factors to why I think that Klay's non-timeout play broke down, Kevin Durant's downward shooting trend throughout the series, Steph's inefficiencies despite his Curry Flurry, and some nitpicks about Draymond's offensive game in the post. Take a listen and let me know your thoughts!
The long awaited Western Conference finals matchup between the Warriors and Rockets is upon us! Join James and I for a quick recap of the Pelicans series, and at the 7:30 mark we begin our thoughts on the Rockets series including a debate on whether or not the league's most dangerous lineup starts Game 1, defensive strategies against the rockets, who we think are the real X factors from the Rockets are in this series, a shoutout to Joe Ingles, and finally series predictions.
Greetings from Asia! Ahead of the start of round 2, take a listen as James and I discuss what made the Pelicans so dominant in round 1 against the Blazers, why we don't expect that kind of dominance against us, and finally what exactly should our plan be to contain Anthony Davis? Also a short introduction from me summarizing round 1 against the Spurs, and a trade proposal with the Spurs that I would do to land us Kawhi Leonard.
A short 17 minute episode that will get you through your morning commute. Enjoy!
A very special episode a long time in the making - talking standup comedy and an attempt at an open mic in Seattle! Join Jeff and I as we talk our inspriations, a good discussion about African Americans in comedy, why I hate Dave Chapelle's acts, how laughing is actually a very private thing, and finally our thoughts on our own performances. This episode is a great listen for anyone who has tried or wants to try standup comedy, or just appreciates the craft and wants to hear our opinions on it.
Also as a bonus - listeners get to hear some of my bits throughout the episode. Enjoy!
James and I get as close as Lamarcus and Zaza as we discuss the Round 1 matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. Listen to us discuss position matchups, defensive strategies against Lamarcus Aldridge, a shoutout to Corey Maggette (??!!!), and finally some bold predictions and irresponsible Vegas bet recommendations. Enjoy!
I joined Tan and the Nguyen Clan recently in participating in a Spartan race. Hear Tan and I recount our motivations for doing the Spartan race, our thoughts on physical fitness in our adult lives, our wildly different methods of preparation, and an oral history of us suffering through the obstacles, including the time I stuck my nuts in Tan's face and the time that Lara Croft showed us up. Fun listen for those of you who are considering doing one in the near future, or who have done one before and want to see how similar our experiences were. Enjoy!
Also - for your reference I've provided links to youtube videos of some of these obstacles we discuss during the podcast.
Slip Wall - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZvV1iJo6G4
Mt. Olympus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEBglVaY9ZI
Twister - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnKJoX7Zskc
James and I discuss our thoughts on the second place Golden State Warriors, the possible Western Conference FInals matchup against the Houston Rockets, an injury update on the Golden State Warriors (Kevin Durant out 4-12 weeks?), and finally the rise of Quinn Cook and his place on this roster as the playoffs approach. As the regular season is winding down this will provide a good update for where the team is at. Enjoy!
After a (somewhat disappointing) midseason performance, James and I are back at it! Listen to us talk over the disappointing losing streak (?) leading up to the All-Star break, the inactivity at the deadline, the Cavilier's trades, and ultimately why I am convinced the Cavs can beat us now. Enjoy!
Welcome to the Warriors 2017-2018 midseason grades, Warrior WangBang Wednesday edition! GenioJames and I evaluate the roster, grading each player based on their performance so far this year. Hear about how impressed we've been with KD and Steph, our disappointments in Livingston and Iguodala, and finally a bit of a conflict over our thoughts on Klay Thompson. Let us know what your thoughts are!
Happy New Year! If it's the holiday season then you know it's time for a Star Wars flick. Join Jeff Liu and I as we discuss the unanswered questions from Episode 7, the concept of "letting go"of the past, Luke Skywalker's sendoff, whether or not the humor landed, the incompetent lightsaber display, and finally what direction the franchise and Episode 9 should go from here. Enjoy!
Part 2 of our review of Stranger Things 2! We focus more on specific aspects of the story - listen to Jeff and I trash the awful Eleven spinoff episode, discuss Mad Max's rope, the awesomeness of Bob Newby, the unexpected friendship of Steve and Dustin, our issues of too many storylines, and much more.
Note - I know that podbean is now asking to download the app in order to download the podcast. If you wish not to do this, the Ewangbang podcast can be found on iTunes and Google Play as well. Please subscribe!
The Ewangbang podcast takes a different turn with Jeff Liu directing, hosting, producing, and editing this episode of our review of the hit Netflix series Stranger Things 2. Join us for part 1 as we talk how we may overrated nostalgia, how the show benefits from binge watching, and the unique character development of the series pillar Eleven.
A very fun episode to listen to, which will be followed by the release of part 2 of the episode tomorrow. Enjoy!
As promised, a very special episode about one of the biggest days of my life - my wedding! Join me and previous EWangbang guests Eric Suen and Tan Nguyen as we talk our respective challenges,WTF moments, and lessons learned from our wedding planning experiences and wedding days. Hear about auspicious dates, my groomsen entrance music recommendations, fancy food parades to Despacito, Eric's tale of IPad Uncle, an oral history of Tan's epic dance, why your wedding day is like an Avenger's movie, and much more!
For those who have had their wedding day already, we hope this episode also allows you some reflection on your own big day. For those still working on it, we hope to shed some light on what's to come.
I realize the episode is long (and minor sound issues in the beginning), however once we lay the background of our planning the episode really takes off and is a lot of fun. Enjoy!
As James dons his warmup hoodie, we do an early NBA season catchup to talk a questionable Vegas bet, the Warriors win streak, odd rotation strategies, and Steph’s D. Also some bonus conversations about the success of the Boston Celtics, and the struggles of the Cavs, Thunder, and Lonzo Ball. Enjoy!
(Note – I realize Episode 14 has not been released yet. Be on the lookout as it’s a very special one!)
Jeff, Dan, and I continue with our review of these two iconic movies with a focus on The Departed. Join us as we talk Boston as a replacement setting, ham-fisted symbolism, the terrible elevator scene, and a comparison of the two movie's characters. And don't miss another famous Jeff Liu rant about how much he hates this movie. For those of you who missed part 1, it's worth checking out too.
Enjoy!
Dan Luddy joins Jeff and I in part 1 of our Infernal Affairs/The Departed movie review, with a focus on Infernal Affairs. Join us as we discuss the quality of Hong Kong movies, the deeper themes of Infernal Affairs, telling Asians apart, and how I don’t get why Inspector Wong was so careless and got himself thrown off a building. Also a bonus discussion of the alternate ending manufactured for China.
Infernal Affairs (無間道) has always been a timeless classic for many Asian Americans and I hope for those of you who have seen this enjoy!
Warrior WangBang Wednesdays are back! After a short but very busy NBA offseason, James and I are back talking GSW Hoops. Join us as we talk the roster moves and the player development we want to see from the Golden State Warriors, as well as discussions about the roster moves of the Cavaliers, Celtics, Thunder, Rockets, and Timberwolves and if we should be legitimately afraid of any of these teams de-throning us. This is a great episode to get back into the spirit of hoops as the Warriors preseason opener kicks off this week!
Jeff and I revisit the Netflix Marvel Universe by reviewing The Defenders, the poor man’s Avenger’s mashup of our favorite hero’s in New York City. Listen to us discuss how New York City really isn’t that big of a place, why I can't stand Jessica Jones, our criticisms of the ridiculous action, a famous Jeff Liu rant about the leaders of The Hand, and finally an epic fail of a final episode on so many levels.
Apologies for the sound issues from my end!
Jeff and I are joined by a few new EWangBangers to review the world-famous disaster of a movie “The Room”, starring Tommy Wiseau. My good friends Eric Suen and Dan Luddy joined us to discuss fantastic storytelling, line delivery, marathon love scenes (with the appropriate music of course), macho football throwing, and ultimately what qualifies as a really bad movie. Enjoy!
The subject matter of this podcast takes a completely different turn with an episode with a new guest! Tan Nguyen and I have recently had the pleasure of participating in Catholic pre-marital counseling (no, not for each other). Hear our thoughts on our differing understandings of faith (and my severe lack thereof), why Catholics eat the cracker at mass, why we had to do the pre-marital counseling, and finally the experience itself, with a bonus discussion on the five love languages.
A different kind of episode that may require you to pardon your hosts ignorance (and poor sound quality!), however hopefully something to think over if you’ve experienced it before or will be sometime in the future!
Apologies about the radio silence lately! An episode is coming soon, I promise. A little throwback to the very first episode, where Jeff Liu kicked off this podcast with reviews of Logan and John Wick 2. For the fans who haven't heard this yet or those of you who haven't seen these movies until now - please enjoy!
Apologies about the radio silence lately! An episode is coming soon, I promise. A little throwback to the very first episode, where Jeff Liu kicked off this podcast with reviews of Logan and John Wick 2. For the fans who haven't heard this yet or those of you who haven't seen these movies until now - please enjoy!
Movie reviews are back! Jeff Liu and I talk the box office hit Wonder Woman. Hear our thoughts (and many Jeff rants!) on a fair representation of a female as a superhero, arrow-fu, Chris Pine’s performance within this film as a secondary character, the epic “No Man’s Land” scene, arguments over killing significant characters, ragtag backup team, various plotholes/character inconsistencies, inexplicable superhero powers, and finally discussions about how DC can improve its direction and a mini rant from Emile about how much I love (?) Will Smith.
Also I am happy to announce we are now on google play and itunes. Please subscribe!
James and I represent some We Believe players while we wrap up the NBA Finals discussing some key story lines in Games 3-5, Lebron’s legacy, a small riff onto what’s become of Deron Williams, our differing views on how happy we should be for the organization as a whole, and finally the ridiculous Kevin Durant commercial.
Also, I'm trying to spread the love across more social media. The podcast has a twitter now - please follow at "@ewangbangcast"!
*this was taped prior to the Jerry West news, as well as the talks of Paul George leaving Indiana heating up. Will have a follow-up episode to discuss these topics soon!
James and I rep our 10-dollar Al Harrington Jerseys while discussing the NBA finals so far - Kevin Durant's individual performance, specific defensive strategies we've implemented (particularly on the pick and roll), Tristan Thompson and other Cavs role players' lack of impact, and finally our predictions for the rest of the series. Enjoy!
Introducing a new segment - the Warriors Wangbang Wednesday! I’m joined by a new guest James Liao, who will discuss with me NBA Finals storylines, matchups/strategies, and finally our predictions on the series. Also a little bit of personal reflection as a Warrior fan in the opening. Please enjoy!
*I’ve finally worked out some audio issues on my end, I appreciate the previous feedback that I’ve received regarding that.
Jeff and I discuss our thoughts on Guardians of The Galaxy 2 - general thoughts, how similar I think this franchise is to The Fast and the Furious franchise, the humor that may not have been fully delivered, the potentially dumbest villain reveal ever, and finally our thoughts on tying the cosmos into the Marvel universe.