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Let's Talk with YuTsai

by Yu Tsai

I'm Yu Tsai, welcome to Let’s Talk, a place for Open Conversations.As a very curious person, I have been blessed with a career as a biologist, creative director, commercial director, celebrity and fashion photographer, TV personality and the host of a food series.Throughout my journey I have met the most inspiring people and heard the amazing stories they carry.Because of my background and experience, I invite them to join me on Let’s Talk to celebrate the work of immigrants, marginalized in media, the Asian and the LGBTQ communities.I learn from each conversation, and I hope you do.

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Episodes

  1. Episode 60 : Young Chang : Heritage as Identity

    Young Chang is the founder of A-Sha Dry Noodle. He's an entrepreneur with an extensive resume, who left a corporate career to start a business near to his heart. He's an incredible ambassador with the foods created by A-Sha, delicious Taiwanese noodles created in Tainan using a 100 year old...

  2. Episode 59 : Revisiting Lisa Ling : Inspiring our Fellow Humans

    Lisa Ling is an award winning journalist, author, and media personality, and she has always been an inspiration for me. In 2020, Lisa challenged me to dig deeper into dialogue about AAPI empowerment, immigrant stories, and marginalized Americans. Here is our open conversation.

  3. Episode 58 : Irene Chen : Facing Your Responsibility

    Today's guest is Irene Chen from Parker Thatch, known for their chic handbags, accessories and jewelry. Parker Thatch started in the early 2000's making high quality goods, with simplicity and elegance. But I'm interested in how an Asian woman, immigrant, and mother had the courage to build a...

  4. Episode 57 : Colton Haynes : Miss Memory Lane

    Colton Haynes is an actor, famous for roles Jackson Whittemore in MTV's Teen Wolf and Roy Harper in CW's Arrow. He's adding a new title to his list of accomplishments, Author. His memoir titled "Miss Memory Lane" takes you on his beautifully raw and honest journey from Kansas to Hollywood.

  5. Episode 56 : Eric Buterbaugh : Unapologetically Blooming

    Eric Buterbaugh's floral and fragrance brand is synonymous with the high end luxury lifestyle. He has established himself as the most prominent florist in the world, describing his work as “opulent flowers presented in a modern way." He outlines his journey for us and his keys to living...

  6. Episode 55 : Jerome LaMaar : The Importance of Knowing

    Jerome LaMaar, the Style Monk, is an inspiration. A polymath, futurist, a creative director, a designer, a stylist, and a manifester, with a magical and up-lifting personality, they create with an easy understanding, a deep sense of knowing about themself. Jerome is very generous about describing...

  7. Episode 54 : Francis Lam : Honoring Your Voice

    Francis Lam is a classically trained chef, long time food journalist and cookbook editor and has hosted the Splendid Table since 2017, for which he has won many awards including four James Beard Awards.

  8. Episode 53 : Joanne Molinaro, The Korean Vegan : Taking Us Along on Your Journey

    Joanne Molinaro, also known as the Korean Vegan, has garnered a lot of attention (and 2 million Tik Tok followers) for her incredible ability to tell beautiful, poignant stories that come directly from her heart.

  9. Episode 52 : Eric Rutherford : Not Just A Handsome Face

    Eric Rutherford is a model, actor, activist, and content creator with a career spanning nearly four decades. He currently hosts his own podcast, Not Just Pretty Pictures, which utilizes storytelling to explore different viewpoints and lifestyles.

  10. Episode 51 : Leyna Bloom : Becoming the First : Unplugged

    Actress, Model, Dancer, Activist : Leyna Bloom is nothing short of amazing. This year, I was fortunate enough to photograph this trailblazer, who has become the first transgender Black and Asian-American Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model.

  11. Episode 50 : Bethany Heitman : Creating Content that Collaborates : Unplugged

    Editorial Director and Content Strategist, Bethany Heitman is a prolific contributor to top publications. Her take on women's issues and commitment to empowering content has made her an in demand voice and strong advocate.

  12. Episode 49 : Thomas Raquel : Breaking Molds : Unplugged

    Chef Thomas Raquel is Executive Pastry Chef at Eric Ripert's celebrated, three star Michelin restaurant La Bernadin. He was taught to cook by his Filipino grandmother and worked hard through culinary school before ascending to his esteemed role.

  13. Episode 48 : Kathleen Hou : Get Your Shine : Unplugged

    Kathleen Hou is the beauty director of NY Magazine's the Cut and has been featured on NPR, and in numerous publications including Vogue India, Allure, and Conde Nast Traveler. As an Asian American woman, her voice is important to expand the dialogue in the beauty industry.

  14. Episode 47 : Miss J. : A Genuine Expression : Unplugged

    My friend J. Alexander, also known as Miss J. has always lived his life with complete authenticity. J and I have had many conversations about race and allyship for the Black community and solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community.

  15. Episode 46 : Julianna Margulies : Honesty from an Unexpected Life : Unplugged

    Julianna Margulies is an award winning actress best known for roles in ER and The Good Wife, but she has just published a very moving memoir: Sunshine Girl : An Unexpected Life. Her book is a very candid look at her upbringing in an unconventional home. I'm thrilled to discuss her story.

  16. Episode 45 : Cat Cora : Iron Humanitarian : Unplugged

    Cat Cora is a force of nature. The first female winner of Food Network's Iron Chef and the first female inductee into the American Academy of Chef's Hall of fame, she's also an advocate for the LGBTQAI+ community, and a humanitarian founding "Chefs for Humanity".

  17. Episode 44 : Johnny Wujek : Becoming Legendary : Unplugged

    Johnny Wujek is a celebrity stylist, costume designer, and creative director renowned for his work with Katy Perry, Mariah Carey, Niki Minaj, and Brittney Spears. His work on the HBO show Legendary, spreads the message of the underground phenomenon known as Ballroom Culture.

  18. Episode 43 : Ying Chu : Strategies for Diversity

    Ying Chu is the ground breaking beauty director, Creative & Digital Marketing Consultant, Editor, Writer, and Luxury Brand Strategist who made a name for herself with her work with Violet Grey, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, and many other media outlets. In her work she always strives to...

  19. Episode 42 : Aarti Sequeira : Bringing the Aarti Paarti

    Aarti Sequeira is a breath of fresh air in food media, winner of the sixth season of The Next Food Network Star in 2010. Her show Aarti Paarty is a platform to demystify Indian cuisine and share fusion recipes. As a woman of Indian descent with an unassuming attitude toward preparing food, she...

  20. Episode 41 : Kalaya'an Mendoza : Warrior for Community : Unplugged

    Kalaya'an Mendoza is an activist, organizer, and strategist in nonviolent direct action, and has spent the twenty years of his life fighting for social justice. I first encountered his work, in an impactful poster that he created, declaring "Asians for Black Lives" in a powerful show of solidarity.

  21. Episode 40 : Chris Do : Designing a Passionate Life

    Chris Do is a designer and educator, marketer, director, and CEO and Chief Strategist of the design firm Blind. As an educator, his ambitious mission statement is to teach 1 billion people how to make a living doing what they love.

  22. Episode 39 : Barbara Dumetz : Envisioning Diversity

    Barbara Dumetz's pioneering advertising images for the likes of Coca Cola, Delta, and McDonalds brought diversity to the mainstream and embraced inclusion long before it was popular.

  23. Episode 38 : Nicola Formichetti : Discovering the Artist Within

    Creative Director Nicola Formichetti, is best known for his work with Diesel, Lady Gaga, Mugler, and Uniqlo, but the Japanese-Italian artist, has worked hard to embrace authenticity and develop his point of view.

  24. Episode 37 : Justin Pichetrungsi : Designing Concepts and Cuisine

    Justin Pichetrungsi, is the owner of Anajak Thai in Sherman Oaks CA, a popular neighborhood favorite opened by his father in 1981. Justin is a concept designer balancing his commercial art career and his family's modern Thai restaurant.

  25. Episode 36 : Olivia Culpo : Giving Back Through Influence

    Model and entrepreneur Olivia Culpo graced the 2020 cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, photographed in Bali. Olivia came to fame as winner of the Miss Universe pageant in 2012.

  26. Episode 35 : Roy Choi : Bridging the Food Gap

    Chef Roy Choi is a groundbreaking original who broke the mold by creating iconic LA food truck, Kogi, that merged Mexican and Korean flavors and began the gourmet food truck craze. He's also a passionate social activist working in his local community.

  27. Episode 34 : Shirley Chung : Unplugged : Return to Your Roots

    Chef Shirley Chung is the chef and owner of the delicious Modern Chinese American restaurant, Ms. Chi's Cafe in Culver City California. A tenacious contestant on Bravo's Top Chef, she competed in Seasons 11 and 14, bringing her take on Chinese cuisine to the forefront.

  28. Episode 33 : Niki Nakayama : Unplugged : Crafting her Culinary World

    Chef Niki Nakayama opened her two Michelin Star winning restaurant in Los Angeles in 2011. Chef Niki, is very humble, but is completely shattering stereotypes in a culturally male dominated field.

  29. Episode 32 : Kate Powers : Unplugged : Sharing Empowering Perspectives

    Kate Powers has built a photography career based on an authentic point of view and women’s empowerment.

  30. Episode 31 : Ross Butler : Unplugged : Creating Your Own Role

    Ross Butler is an Asian-American actor known for roles on 13 Reasons Why, K.C. Undercover, Riverdale, and Shazam. Born in Singapore, he immigrated to the US at a young age and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career at the age of 20.

  31. Episode 30 : Ashley Graham : Unplugged : Super Positive Super Star

    Ashley Graham is no stranger to the fashion industry with countless covers and billboards internationally, but she has made a brand of promoting self love, size acceptance, and body positivity, and used her body and voice to express and inspire confidence in women everywhere.

  32. Episode 29 : Eve Rodsky : Unplugged : Leveling the Playing Field

    Eve Rodsky is the author of the NY Times Bestseller: Fair Play, which addresses the disparity between men and women’s roles in a traditional relationship and concentrates on re-imagining domestic life and relationship to help rebalance responsibilities.

  33. Episode 28 : Elsa Collins : Unplugged : Community Building with Change

    Elsa Collins is a strategist, activist, and advocate, co-founder of organizations This is About Humanity, She Se Puede, and the Ideatuer. Her initiatives include growing Latina representation, getting out the vote, and addressing the humanitarian crisis at the border.

  34. Episode 27 : Chef Ming Tsai : Unplugged : Giving from Abundance

    Chef Ming Tsai has been a household name since 1998, hosting his cooking show East Meets West on Food Network. He has been an inspiration to me and a welcome Asian presence on TV. We talk about how rewarding, and simple, kindness and giving back can be.

  35. Episode 26 : Brian Bowen Smith : Unplugged : Capturing a Changing Landscape

    Photographer Brian Bowen Smith set out in the spring of 2020 on a road trip across America, to capture historic images in the midst of a country in pandemic and quarantine. He shares his personal history and details this project, entitled BBS Drivebys.

  36. Episode 25 : Margaret Cho : Unplugged : ALL Asian American Girl

    Actress and comedian Margaret Cho is outspoken, and at times controversial, in her candid handling of identity, race, and sexuality. A powerful advocate whose work has utilized humor and indulged stereotypes to discuss the Asian American experience and LGBTQIA+ community.

  37. Episode 24 : Jet Tila : Unplugged : Evolving Asian Culinary Culture

    Celebrity Chef, Jet Tila, was born in Los Angeles into a restaurant family with Thai and Chinese ancestry, and went on to study formally at Le Cordon Bleu. Jet and I have a shared passion for Asian Cuisine and its evolving story.

  38. Episode 23 : Sam Hyun : Unplugged : Our Voice is Not a Virus

    Sam Hyun is an advocate for the Asian American community, working as an activist, chairperson of the Massachusetts Asian American Commission, and host of the podcast, Real Talk Tuesdays created by the non profit foundation Hate is a Virus. His work is a vital and vibrant voice in this historic time.

  39. Episode 22 : Long Ung : Unplugged : Celebration and Remembrance

    Long Ung recounts her childhood in the Cambodian killing fields in her memoir, First they Killed my Father : A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers, adapted into a film in 2017. She is active in work on numerous campaigns aimed at ending violence against women, ceasing use of child soldiers, and…

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  40. Episode 21 : William Li : Unplugged : With Love and LuckyRice

    William Li is the co-producer and host of PBS’s Lucky Chow, now in its fourth season. Lucky Chow is a very special program that showcases the Asian-American experience through the lens of food. With Lucky Chow, William’s aim is to heighten appreciation of Asian culture and heritage.

  41. Episode 20 : Coco Rocha : Unplugged : Speaking From Passion

    Supermodel Coco Rocha is well known as an outspoken advocate for the rights of models and for diversity in fashion. In 2016 she took ownership and management of Nomad Models whose roster is one of the most diverse in the industry, with a special emphasis on Asian models.

  42. Episode 19 : Kevin Kwan : Unplugged : Telling an Untold Tale

    Writer Kevin Kwan is a Chinese Singaporean who moved with his family to Texas at the age of 11. His book Crazy Rich Asians created a cultural phenomenon with a film adaptation grossing $238 million and bringing a contemporary Asian American story to the masses.

  43. Episode 18 : Milla Jovovich and Ever Anderson : Unplugged : Muse of Generations

    Actor and model, Milla Jovovich is a powerhouse and an influencer before social media. Milla’s storied career began as the muse for such iconic photographers as Peter Lindberg, Herb Ritts, and Richard Avedon before launching into a very successful acting career. We recount our photoshoot together...

  44. Episode 17 : Mei Lin : Unplugged : From Champion to Daybird

    The lovely Mei Lin, chef and winner of Top Chef’s 12th season is my guest. Mei and I find that we have a lot in common, emigrating to the US from Asia and settling in the Midwest in restaurant families. She shares how growing up, her first aspiration wasn’t to work in the kitchen.

  45. Episode 16 : Yara Shahidi : Unplugged : Voice for Her_ish Generation

    Yara Shahidi began modeling and acting early, and made a name for herself in the shows Black-ish and spinoff Grown-ish. She continues to pursue her career while studying at Harvard. Yara is a powerful voice for advocacy of feminism and her initiative to encourage young voters. We talk about our...

  46. Episode 15 : GT Dave : Unplugged : Cultivating Live Food for Healthy Living

    GT Dave started his incredible company, GT’s Living Foods in the 1990’s in his home, brewing fizzy fermented tea. He has since grown the company to produce over a million bottles of kombucha every year in over a dozen varieties, and is the number 1 selling kombucha in the US.

  47. Episode 14 : Carla Hall : Unplugged : Say Yes to Recess

    Today, we’re having recess with my guest Carla Hall! Carla is a chef, known for appearing in two seasons of Top Chef and hosting her own show “The Chew”, an author and motivational speaker who started as a model, walking runways in Paris. We jump right into conversation about food and much needed...

  48. Episode 13 : Toni Garrn-Pettyfer : Unplugged : Super Model Citizen

    Supermodel Toni Garrn joins me for a conversation about the cause that she’s so passionate about. Toni is not just a powerhouse in the modeling world, she’s devoted herself to educating and empowering young women in Africa and she shares her inspiring journey.

  49. Episode 12 : Join LA Food Gang with Andy Wang

    Andy Wang is a food writer with an incredible history. He’s very reluctant to be called a critic as he’s always worked to tell the stories and observe the efforts of chefs and cooks across the country, who are crafting the dishes of all cultures, especially authentic Asian cuisine. He’s penned…

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  50. Episode 11 : Bolder than Bling with Kevin Kreider

    Kevin Kreider is a model, motivational speaker, and an advocate for healthy lifestyles and for Asian perceptions in media. Born in Korea and adopted at age three to a Caucasian family in Philadelphia, he’s had a unique journey as an Asian American. Currently he's featured in the Netflix hit…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

I'm Yu Tsai, welcome to Let’s Talk, a place for Open Conversations.As a very curious person, I have been blessed with a career as a biologist, creative director, commercial director, celebrity and fashion photographer, TV personality and the host of a food series.Throughout my journey I have met the most inspiring people and heard the amazing stories they carry.Because of my background and experience, I invite them to join me on Let’s Talk to celebrate the work of immigrants, marginalized in media, the Asian and the LGBTQ communities.I learn from each conversation, and I hope you do.

HOSTED BY

Yu Tsai

CATEGORIES

arts

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Let's Talk with YuTsai have?

Let's Talk with YuTsai currently has 61 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Let's Talk with YuTsai about?

I'm Yu Tsai, welcome to Let’s Talk, a place for Open Conversations.As a very curious person, I have been blessed with a career as a biologist, creative director, commercial director, celebrity and fashion photographer, TV personality and the host of a food series.Throughout my journey I have met...

How often does Let's Talk with YuTsai release new episodes?

Let's Talk with YuTsai has 61 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Let's Talk with YuTsai?

You can listen to Let's Talk with YuTsai on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Let's Talk with YuTsai?

Let's Talk with YuTsai is created and hosted by Yu Tsai.
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