BOS Coalition: Recent Episodes
Ava McCollum
Created by Ava McCollum, BOS Coalition serves to highlight the voices of powerful AAPI members through narration and storytelling.
(Korean audio only) In this episode, KSP students Dale Lee and Ava McCollum interview Mrs. Lucia Jeong, an elder from the Koreatown community. More specifically, Mrs. Jeong notes the significance of kimchi on her life and its significance on her family and culture. As she recounts the first time she made it, certain traditions that hold particular value, and misconceptions around the food, listeners are introduced to the role of kimchi in Korean culture.
(Korean audio only) In this episode, KSP students Dale Lee and Ava McCollum interview Mrs. Young Sook Kim, an elder from the Koreatown community. More specifically, Mrs. Kim notes the significance of kimchi on her life and its significance on her family and culture. As she recounts the first time she made it, certain traditions that hold particular value, and misconceptions around the food, listeners are introduced to the role of kimchi in Korean culture.
In this episode of BOS Coalition’s interview series, I had the pleasure of speaking to Janice Song, with whom I chat about their work with the Asian American Federation in addition to their thoughts on Korean values. As we discuss the translation of East Asian culture into adult life, the notion of maintaining cultural expectations is brought up. They also note that “[I] just wanted to emphasize that despite some shortcomings as a community, I've also learned to how to build and maintain community through my Korean/Asian American culture/community; our cultures are known to be more of a collective mindset (though to a fault at times, as I touched on), and that mindset really showed through in how my community showed up for my family during tough times financially, emotionally, and otherwise. Our community is always trying to better one another, and I think that value is also something that drives me and my work today!”
In this episode, I speak to Janna Mae, producer and digital creator at Buzzfeed. This female powerhouse shares her advice on “starting now,” the discipline of content making, and the remembrance of her roots that contributed to her success.
In this shortened version of our original 35 minute episode, I speak to filmmaker Jin Yoo-Kim about her fascination and reasoning for involvement in filmmaking. As an Asian American in a predominantly white industry, she emphasizes the importance of bringing her culture into the projects that she participates in.
In the twenty second episode of BOS Coalition’s interview series, I had the pleasure of talking to Jisun Viljoen, the founder of a creative marketing agency. With an interesting narrative as she grew up in Seoul, New Zealand, and eventually relocated to Los Angeles, both her professional and personal perspectives make for a fascinating interview.
The twenty first episode of this interview series explores the story of Judy Joo, chef, entrepreneur, writer, and host of “Korean Food Made Simple” on Food Network. As a Korean-American, she incorporates much of her heritage into her recipes, many of which you can find in one of her three cookbooks. After graduating from Columbia University and beginning a career on Wall Street, she found her true passion: experimenting with food and all of the culture that it brings. You can listen to our interview right here!
In this interview, I am lucky enough to talk to Dr. Shafali Jeste, a pediatric neurologist and the Chief of Neurology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. With an impressive background and a distinct focus on autism research and treatment, she has a story that you will not want to miss. Thank you, Dr. Jeste!
In the nineteenth episode of BOS Coalition’s interview series, I am interviewing Jin Yoo-Kim, independent documentary filmmaker and advocate for Asian rights. Inspired by her studies in psychology and cinema and media at Wellesley College, she made it her mission to tell stories and, through documentaries, found her passion.
In this episode, I am able to speak to actor and photographer Andrew Ge. His story is complete with funny anecdotes, wise perspectives, and a multitude of impressive roles. Similarly, his experience as an Asian American in the entertainment industry offers a fascinating story that is explored in this interview.
In this episode, I am lucky enough to have gotten the opportunity to speak to Christian De Luna, a project manager at Apple and the Chief of Strategy at the Asian Mental Health Collective. Hailing from New York where he studied at Columbia University, he works to explore the intersection of mental health and technology. His passion for de-stigmatizing mental health specifically within the Asian community led him to develop virtual reality experiences that portray mental health through various perspectives. His accomplishments are extensive and even more fascinating, and you can now listen to his story. Thank you, Mr. De Luna!
In this episode, I speak to Sarah Han, the commerce editor at Allure. Having an extensive background at successful companies like Buzzfeed prior to her work at Allure, her experience and wisdom proves influential. She talks to me about how her college path informed her eventual career, and how she hopes to see the beauty industry transform over the next few years.
In this episode, I’m speaking to Ms. Naia Cucukov, the Executive Vice President of Development and Production at Walden Media. She has worked on several incredibly successful projects: the film adaptation of The Giver, Roald Dahl’s The BFG, Everest, and most recently, the Netflix hit series The Baby-Sitters Club. I had the honor of speaking to her about her climb to the top of the entertainment industry, diversity within all realms of production, and how she hopes to continue her message.
In today’s episode, I am speaking to Dr. Jennifer Wong, the director of the new Wallis Annenberg GenSpace. The interview explores both the challenges and successes she has experienced as a young woman in an leadership position. In addition, we discuss her role in providing support for the elder community and what presents itself as today’s most pressing issues.
As part of my Week of Teachers segment, I interview YoonJu Mangione, Korean teacher at Marlborough School. She explains what brought her to the United States as a teenager from Korea, how she adapted, and how sharing her culture makes her feel even closer to her heritage. Thank you, Mrs. Mangione!
In the twelfth episode of the BOS Coalition interview series, I am speaking to Mr. Jon Lee Brody. A filmmaker and creator, he tells me about shifting from a potential career in the NFL to finding his real passion in the entertainment industry.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, creator and artist Andy Cung and I chat about his experience in the artistic world, emphasizing his work on the reboot of Powerpuff Girls and his many contributions to other successful projects. He talks to me about his passion for teaching and storyboarding and the impact his childhood had on the unfolding of his career. An informative and telling recollection of the obstacles he has had to overcome, Mr. Cung's story is a powerful and moving one.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In today’s episode, I am talking to Jenny Jin, the beauty director at Pure Wow-- a destination for all things women’s beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. With an impressive career and extensive list of accomplishments, her interviews with female powerhouses like Gwyneth Paltrow and Carrie Underwood are just the beginning. She has a love for storytelling and enjoys fostering connection through listening to other people as well as sharing her own stories. You can learn more about Jenny's work at www.imjennyjin.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
I spoke to Nona Lim, founder of Nona Lim Foods, a company that provides a clean take on fast and accessible Asian food. You can find products like coconut lime chicken bone broth, stir fry noodle kits, traditional ramen, and more at your local Whole Foods, Target, and Walmart, just to name a select few. Her inspiring story about how passion can inform one’s career and how food can create culture makes for an entertaining and informative interview. Visit her website at nonalim.com to shop her products, get recipe inspiration, and learn more about her story.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In the eighth episode of this interview series, I had the opportunity to talk to Amy Anderson: actor, writer, comedian, and singer. A comedian whose performances have generated over hundreds of thousands of views and her role as the mother of Modern Family's Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, her accomplishments are endless. She told me about the path that led her to Hollywood and shared her experiences as a Korean adoptee who lived in Minnesota.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, I’m talking to Lisa Lin, founder of food blog, Healthy Nibbles and Bits. With over 190k followers on Instagram and a large presence on both Tiktok and her website, Ms. Lin talks to me about the beginning of her career, in addition to how her love and passion for food and recipes transformed her life. Her success has been featured in Buzzfeed, the Huffington Post, and MyFitnessPal, just to name a few. You can find a collection of her delicious Asian recipes at healthynibblesandbits.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing educator, activist, and writer, Annie Tan. Ms. Tan is the cousin of the late Vincent Chin, and today she is here to tell her family’s powerful story of tragedy, triumph, and the ways in which she works to continue his legacy. In addition, she talks about her memoir that she is working on, how she got started in education, and what people can do to help the Asian American cause. You can learn more about Annie's projects and her work at annietan.com.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Today I am talking to TRACE: multi talented singer-songwriter, and recently, screenwriter. You can stream her new single, Sucker Punch, out now.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In today’s episode of my series in which I interview Asians who have been impacted by immigration and listen to how their backgrounds fundamentally altered their lives, I talk to Connie Chung Joe. Mrs. Joe is the CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Los Angeles, the nation’s largest Asian American civil rights organization. According to their website, Advancing Justice LA provides legal services to those who speak little or no English. Their work has impacted the lives of over 15,000 people and that number is only growing. This is Connie’s story.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In today's episode, I am interviewing Lin Chen, founder of Pink Moon, an all women created and owned beauty company, whose products have been featured in Vogue, In Style, Oprah, and more. Pink Moon’s goal to "revolutionize the beauty and wellness industry" has been changing the beauty world through incorporating a more inclusive, compassionate, and natural approach. Today she is talking about her experience as a second generation Taiwanese-American and the path she navigated to end up a successful entrepreneur, activist, and creator.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In the second episode in this interview series, I talk to Huê Thi Hoffmaster, a New York based painter with a powerful connection to immigration. Listen to the podcast to learn more about his career, the ways in which immigration has influenced his life and shaped his character, along with Hoffmaster's powerful take on what it means to be biracial.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
In the premiere episode of my interview series, I interview Pichet Ong, a world-renowned chef, entrepreneur, and author of his dessert book, The Sweet Spot. Listen to his immigration story, the ways in which his identity impacted his career path, the struggles he faced, and his ultimate triumphs.
This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app