(Trigger Warning: Mentions of S*xual Violence during this recording)
This episode is the last of 2025! It brings me great joy to invite former pin-up model and lead singer of Nylon Pink, who recently released her memoir, “Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty,” to wrap up the final podcast episode of 2025.
Kaila recounts her experience as a former pin-up model in the early 2000s, within the import car world that was closely associated with the Asian American “AZN” culture. Think of Fast and the Furious, the souped-up 1998 Honda Civic.
Bio:
Kaila is an author based in Los Angeles. Her debut memoir, ‘Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty,’ was published this past August with Penguin Random House’s Crown Publishing.
She is also a luxury travel, food, and culture writer and on-camera correspondent based in Los Angeles, who has written for The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic, and more. She’s a certified PADI scuba diver, freediver, and mermaid.
Her former band, Nylon Pink, has toured in Australia: Melbourne and Sydney, played in Shanghai at the launch party for Havaianas in China, Costa Rica, played at the Hard Rock in Tokyo, Japan, Macau, China, and Penang, Malaysia.
Follow:
Instagram: kailayu
TikTok: kaila.yu
Website: www.kailayu.com
In this deep-dive episode, I chat with 2x Emmy-award winning producer and director, Jon Hill, Director of Creative Video at Fox Sports Digital.
We kick off with some spirited discussion on Chicago and Philly sports, before switching gears for a profound conversation about Jon’s award-winning feature film, Above the Clouds.
Jon shares the introspective journey of making his debut film, explaining how the filmmaking process became a source of healing after the loss of his father. He discusses how the project helped him solidify his Thai American identity and provided a powerful avenue for navigating grief over the years.
Bio:
Jon Hill is a 2x Emmy-award-winning producer and director living in Los Angeles. You can find him working at Fox Sports Digital as their Director of Creative Video.
His award-winning feature film, Above the Clouds, can be seen on Tubi, YouTube, Amazon, among others.
IG: jhill_aka_da_streaming_king
This week, I caught up with longtime Chicago Uptown community leaders and co-owners of the new Haibayô Cafe, Hac Tran and Jennifer “Nuky” Pham.
Join us as Hac and Nuky take us into an intimate look at the history of the Asia on Argyle neighborhood—a historic cultural center for Chicago’s Chinese and Southeast Asian communities for the past 50 years.
The Mission of Haibayô: Their work in co-founding the nonprofit dedicated to cultural preservation and community-building in the Argyle area.
A Personal Legacy: Jennifer “Nuky” Pham shares the legacy history of her father, one of Argyle’s first Vietnamese business owners, and her deep roots in the community.
Community Advocacy: How they curate festivals and events to support immigrant entrepreneurs, artists, and musicians, their fight against displacement, and provide
Future Connections: Their determination to build deeper community connections and maintain the neighborhood’s cultural and historical identity.
Bio:
Hac Tran, Co-Founder, Cultural Planning Manager:
Hac Tran is an urban planner and community development professional dedicated to preserving the Asia on Argyle community in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. Born and raised in Chicago, Hac has deep ties to the Argyle area. In 2019, Hac co-founded HAIBAYÔ, a nonprofit focused on cultural preservation. Hac’s experience ranges from non-governmental work in Vietnam with Save the Children and Global Village Foundation to community-based casework with various Uptown-based nonprofits to cultural specialist business technical assistance on Argyle through the Uptown Chamber of Commerce. Hac is a Field Foundation 2025 Leaders for a New Chicago Recipient.
Jennifer “Nuky” Pham, Co-Founder, Cultural Events Manager:
Jennifer Pham is a Vietnamese American entrepreneur, cultural organizer, and community advocate born and raised in Argyle, Uptown Chicago. As the daughter of Argyle’s first Vietnamese business owners, she is dedicated to preserving the neighborhood’s identity and resisting displacement. As co-founder of Haibayô, she curates festivals and events that support immigrant entrepreneurs, artists, and musicians. She also serves as a board member of the Uptown Chamber of Commerce and co-owner of Mini Tx Pharmacy, strengthening her advocacy for local businesses and community sustainability.
Contact:
nuky@haibayo.org
hac@haibayo.org
Instagram: hai_bayo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haibayochicago
Website: https://haibayo.com/
This week, I’m joined by my friend and fellow podcaster, Kenneth Nguyen, the host and creator of the acclaimed The Vietnamese Podcast. He was my guest host on my then-farewell episode in 2023 when I was sunsetting the podcast, and he’s back on my show, to remind me that he was right that I would come back to the podcasting sphere, and here I am now! With hundreds of episodes recorded, Kenneth has built a platform highlighting Vietnamese creatives, educators, historians, entrepreneurs, and many others across the global diaspora and homeland.
In this fun and insightful conversation, we dive into:
The Current Podcasting Landscape: Our thoughts on the industry since I returned to podcasting, and what podcasting means now these days.
Kenneth’s Journey into Podcasting: The story of how The Vietnamese Podcast began and the lessons he’s learned about the Vietnamese community both in the US and in Vietnam.
Navigating Political Nuances: Discussing the delicate and complex political divisions within the community, and how both Vietnamese Americans and Vietnam view the history of the war fifty years later.
Shaping Future Narratives: How we can actively work to influence and shape the evolving story of the Vietnamese American community moving forward.
Kenneth brings a wealth of experience from over two decades in the Vietnamese media space, including his work as a film producer and co-founder of EAST Films. His podcast aims to show the Vietnamese experience “from a transpacific lens, in all its facets and complexities.”
Bio:
Kenneth Nguyen is a Los Angeles-based podcaster and film producer with over two decades in the Vietnamese media space. Kenneth hosts and produces The Vietnamese podcast with over 400 episodes recorded. Kenneth is a founding partner at EAST Films with several film projects in development and production.
Check out The Vietnamese Podcast on Instagram: TheVietnamesePodcast
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheVietnamesewithKennethNguyen
This week, I brought the multi-talented French-Canadian comedian and personality Tranna Wintour to the podcast. We dived into the current political noise in her own backyard (Canada), but also what she has observed in the States. A major focus of the conversation was Madonna’s legacy. We dissected how difficult the last 20 years of her career and persona have been for some to stand by, and how this is another example of figuring out how to deal with our problematic favs. Finally, we ask a big question: Have we reached the end of celebrity stan culture in the wake of the current political and social climate we’re in?
Bio:
Tranna Wintour is a highly-acclaimed bilingual comedian, singer, writer, hostess, and producer.
Legendary comedienne Sandra Bernhard described her as “a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night.” A Just For Laughs New Face Canada (2019), Tranna was named one of the queens of Canadian comedy by Fashion magazine.
Performing in both English and French, she appeared in a Juste Pour Rire gala in 2021 before starring in Québec’s hit series, Big Brother Célébrités. Her run to the top 4 was hailed as the show’s breakthrough moment and “the best moment on Québec TV in years” by the Journal Métro.
Tranna co-hosted the successful CBC Podcast Chosen Family for three seasons, which was named one of Apple’s Best Podcasts for two consecutive years. Her debut album, Safe From Your Affection, is available on all streaming platforms, and she is currently developing an original comedy series with a major Canadian broadcaster.
Instagram: TrannaWintour
Website: https://www.trannawintour.com
In continuation of the current Chicago ICE Raids, and recent SNAP benefits crisis affecting Chicago's Chinatown community, I invited two dedicated community leaders in the Chinatown community: Grace Chan McKibben and Andrew Frangos, to discuss the rapid response efforts in Chinatown and surrounding neighborhoods.
In a time when federal actions are creating widespread fear and instability, we dived into how local leaders, residents, and businesses are working in solidarity to protect one another.
Immediate ICE Response: Grace and Andrew detail the community's swift reaction to the recent, highly visible ICE raids in the Chicagoland area, including reports of violent and false detentions. We discuss what practices communities are using to monitor activity, provide alerts, and empower residents to Know Their Rights.
Protecting Neighbors and Businesses: We look at the practical ways the community—from small businesses to residents—are creating a protective net to ensure the safety and legal rights of immigrant families, seniors, and workers.
The SNAP Benefit Crisis: We explore the devastating and immediate impact of the recent SNAP benefit reductions and policy changes that are disproportionately affecting low-income seniors and vulnerable families in the area.
Mobilizing Resources: Both outline the community work that is being done to fill the resource gap, including emergency food distribution, legal aid services, and language support to help residents navigate the ongoing, shifting landscape.
A Call to Action: How listeners—both in and outside of Chicago—can support the community's defense funds, rapid response teams, and local organizations working on the front lines of this crisis.
Resources:
Contact ICIRR for ICE sightings in Illinois
From Andrew:Pilsen PUÑO, an organization that coordinates a Migra Watch team and provides regular trainings:
https://www.instagram.com/pilsenpuno/. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4bsY4jUcP/.
Sanctuary For All UIC (https://www.instagram.com/sanctuaryforalluic/) maintains this linktree with a link to a massive list of trainings offered beyond the Chicago area, as well as other resources: https://linktr.ee/sanctuaryforalluic.
In a profoundly moving conversation, host Randy Kim welcomes Dorothy Chow, the Chinese-Cambodian American host of the father-daughter podcast, "Death In Cambodia."
Dorothy shares the deeply personal and powerful genesis of her show: creating a space for her father to share his survivor experience from the Cambodian genocide. This podcast wasn't just a historical documentation; it became a transformative healing journey for Dorothy.
The Genesis of "Death In Cambodia": Dorothy opens up about the courage it took for her and her father to start the podcast, not just as a historical record, but as a pivotal moment for intergenerational healing.
A Personal Discovery: We discuss how the process of interviewing her own father and connecting with other survivors and diaspora folks shaped Dorothy’s understanding of her own Cambodian identity—an identity she had long sought to define.
The Second Genocide: Dorothy sheds light on a lesser-known, yet critical, chapter of the Khmer Rouge regime: the Dangrek Genocide. This 2nd genocide, often overshadowed, reveals the complex and continuous trauma faced by the Cambodian people.
Returning to the Motherland: Looking ahead, Dorothy shares her hopes and intentions for her next trip to Cambodia, reflecting on what she now seeks to experience and connect with as part of both her podcasting and personal journey.
Listen to the Podcast: Find "Death In Cambodia" on all major podcast platforms.
Follow Dorothy: @ deathincambodia
Thank you for tuning into The Banh Mi Chronicles Podcast!
I decided to record a solo episode to gather my thoughts since returning to the podcast a few months ago, and how wild it's been recording emergency episodes amid the chaos Chicago has been experiencing with ICE and CBP raids. I also talk about my reaction to content creator Nathan Ramos-Park's reel about how Asian Americans and the Asian diaspora are deciding to live in Asia, and how that impacts them. I have a lot to say on that as a former expat. I have also been thinking about the wave of grief that I will experience with the upcoming holidays and reminders about my brother's passing for this winter season.
This week on The Bánh Mì Chronicles, host Randy Kim sits down with the incredible Nisha Mody (she/her)—a certified Liberatory Life Coach, Facilitator, and Writer—for a profound conversation about self-compassion, unlearning harmful beliefs, and showing up authentically in relationships.
Nisha, who is currently writing a memoir about her divorce, shares the raw, deeply personal story of her toxic marriage to an Indian man that ended a decade ago. She transparently discusses the immense work required to unlearn the practices and beliefs she internalized that ultimately caused her harm.
The complex journey of grief and healing, particularly navigating the immense loss of her father around the time of her divorce.
How Nisha had to redefine her self-worth after leaving a toxic dynamic, and her philosophy of self-improvement without shame.
The essential conversation about navigating and understanding whiteness in her current partnership and how her white partner actively honors her values and centers her growth.
Nisha’s core belief that centering growth, relationship, and liberation is the path toward meaningful personal and societal transformation.
Nisha’s background spans consulting, recruiting, and librarianship, and she brings all of that accumulated wisdom to her coaching and writing, encouraging us all to stop shrinking ourselves and step into our full power.
Listen in for a conversation that is as vulnerable as it is liberating.
Bio:
Nisha Mody (she/her) is a certified Liberatory Life Coach, Facilitator, and Writer who supports people in cultivating as much compassion for themselves as they do for others so they can stop shrinking themselves to be liked and start showing up for relational liberation. With a background spanning consulting, recruiting, speech-language pathology, and librarianship, Nisha thrives on evolving and self-improvement without shame and inspiring others to do the same. In all her work, she centers growth, relationship, and liberation as pathways for personal and societal transformation. Nisha is writing a memoir about her divorce. She coaches clients one-on-one and in groups and also offers workshops and coaching to organizations. You can find Nisha on Instagram @healinghypegirl, on her website at www.nishaland.com, and you can get the latest updates from her by signing up for her newsletter at https://bit.ly/notesfromnishaland.
This week on The Bánh Mì Chronicles, host Randy Kim brings you an urgent, on-the-ground report with Lilly Le (she/her), Community Organizing Director at the Vietnamese Association of Illinois (VAI). Lilly works to build community power among Vietnamese people in Illinois through engagement and leadership development.
In this critical discussion, we address the twin crises currently impacting Vietnamese and other immigrant communities in Chicago, particularly in the Argyle Street area of Uptown:
The Climate of Fear: Lilly shares how the recent, highly-publicized ICE raids are instilling widespread fear and anxiety in the Vietnamese community across the Chicagoland area.
The SNAP Crisis: We discuss the severe impact of the current interruption and changes to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, threatening food security for elders and low-income families.
VAI’s Action Plan: Lilly outlines the immediate, vital work VAI and its community partners are doing to inform the public of their rights, provide legal and material resources, and offer essential mutual aid and support to those affected.
Community Impact: Lilly speaks to the lasting effects of these political and humanitarian crises and how Vietnamese individuals are processing and mobilizing against the escalating threats to their safety and stability.
This conversation is essential listening for understanding the immediate need for mutual aid and community power-building in a time of crisis.
Support VAI’s Work:
Vietnamese Association of Illinois (VAI):
https://hnvi.org/
VAI IG: https://www.instagram.com/vai_chicago/
Note to listeners: VAI provides a range of services including Legal Assistance and Immigrant and Refugee Resources.
Linh “Lilly” Le (she/her) is a Community Services Manager at the Vietnamese Association of Illinois. Her work focuses on building community and power among Vietnamese people in Illinois through intergenerational community engagement and leadership development. Before joining VAI, she was a student organizer with UChicago United at the University of Chicago, fighting for material resources and building power among students of color and the surrounding community. She received her BA in Sociology and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies from the University of Chicago. Lilly is committed to grassroots power-building work to equip our communities with tools for healing and self-determination.
This week, we’re getting real and diving into the deep end with the incredible Joi Louviere from the Werk Stories Podcast. Our conversation pulls no punches as we talk about the brutal realities of toxic workplaces, especially through the lens of a Black women.
Joi and I discuss how the prevailing political environment—specifically the Trump administration—has created an even more difficult and exhausting landscape. We tackle the specific challenges of both the nonprofit and corporate world, where passion often masks a lack of resources, and how Black women and other women of color are forced to constantly innovate in order to survive their work environment. If you’ve ever felt depleted, undervalued, or just plain tired of the professional struggle, this episode offers a supportive voice and a path toward survival and lasting resilience.
About Werk Stories Podcast
Birthed out of back-to-back discriminatory work experiences, the Werk Stories creator decided to turn her trauma into community by developing a safe space for other Black women and women of color to speak about the things that have happened to them in their workplaces.
By opening up, women of color can empower each other to persevere and know that they are not alone. Werk stories works with therapists, HR professionals, and employment lawyers to provide advice on how this community can best create change in their industries.
Take this journey with us and listen to the stories of these amazing women, and most importantly, believe them!
About the Creator: Joi Louviere
Joi honed her passion for storytelling in college while studying journalism at her beloved HBCU, Hampton University. As a radio host and staff writer, then editor, in the student newspaper, she learned the many ways to tell a thoughtful story. After some newspaper work, Joi’s career pivoted to more broad communications, production assisting, public relations and magazine work. After getting her Master’s in journalism from Georgetown University, Joi sold all her things and traveled the world for 3.5 years. Her nomadic lifestyle was freeing, but more than that it highlighted the many stories that needed to be told and she began nonprofit work. She started by using her comms skills to nurture programming for children at a small, but impactful organization, and then matriculated to college access work, both roles requiring a savvy for social media and marketing leadership. While nonprofit work is rewarding, Joi could not escape the workplace bias and discrimination and overall racism present in every corner of of the nonprofit world. Werk Stories was born from a breaking point, and Joi hopes it inspires many more moments of realizations for Black women and women of color who are tired of the unnecessary obstacles just to do their jobs. With the vulnerability of brave Black and brown women and work of focused allies, Joi is sure Werk Stories will be one of many contributors to the overhaul of United States work culture. Joi currently lives, writes and (werk) stories in Dallas, Texas.
Follow Joi:
Instagram: Werkstories
LinkedIn: Joi Louviere's LinkedIn
Recorded on 10/21/25, 6:30 pm CST
TW/CW: contains discussion surrounding ICE raids
I welcome a fierce and fabulous friend, Saint Mary Clarence, who joins us in full drag to demonstrate the political power of this queer art form. But the conversation shifts into the urgent discussion of the current ICE raid crisis in and around Chicago.
Saint Mary Clarence—a dedicated community member—breaks down the crisis in their local community of Oak Park (located next to Chicago), including:
The Local Government Response: How Oak Park officials and residents are responding to the recent ICE and law enforcement activities in their area.
The “No Kings Protest”: We discuss the genesis and meaning of the growing anti-authoritarian movement and what it means to be actively engaged in the resistance against the current administration.
Drag as Political Art: We explore how the very act of dressing in drag is a radical, political statement and a form of highly visible resistance against antiquated, oppresive systems.
The Role of White Privilege: A frank and necessary discussion on how white allies can and must recognize and leverage their privilege to meaningfully support community members who are most at risk of danger and deportation.
This is an urgent and inspiring conversation about community, courage, and choosing to show up for justice.
In this candid and powerful episode, I brought a fellow podcaster friend Patrick Armstrong, a Korean American adoptee from the Midwest, a celebrated co-host of The Janchi Show, and the creator of the intimate new local series of the people in Indianapolis, Conversation Piece.
Patrick shares his deeply personal journey as an adoptee, reflecting on the decades it took to reconcile his upbringing and become more secure and fully embrace his Asian (Korean) American identity.
We also dive into the state of media today, discussing:
The Podcasting Landscape: How independent creators are navigating a world dominated by major media companies.
The “Manosphere” Reputation: Patrick and Randy address the widely discussed, often negative reputation that male-hosted podcasts have garnered, and what it means to actively work against that stereotype by hosting conversations focused on community, nuance, and growth.
Purpose-Driven Podcasting: The essential role of podcasters in pushing complex, much-needed stories that authentically represent their communities, rather than just chasing virality.
Stories of Place: We explore his latest project, Conversation Piece, which gives an intimate look at the people and untold narratives of his home city, Indianapolis, and why local storytelling matters now more than ever.
This is a conversation about identity, media responsibility, and the power of finding your voice.
Bio:
Patrick Armstrong (he/him) is a storyteller and entrepreneur. He is the host and producer of two award-winning podcasts: Conversation Piece, which explores the city of Indianapolis through the perspectives of its people, and The Janchi Show (pronounced: JohnChee), which amplifies and celebrates the Asian adoptee experience. Through conversation-based media and storytelling in all forms, Patrick works to provide new perspectives on the world – and people – around us and empower both individuals and organizations to meet each other, not with fear and judgement, but with love and affirmation.
Connect with Patrick Armstrong:
Listen to The Janchi Show:
https://janchishow.com/
Listen to Conversation Piece:
https://conversationpiecepod.com/
Personal Website:
http://www.patrickintheworld.me
Instagram: www.instagram.com/patrickintheworld
In this emergency episode, Francia Garcia Hernandez, a reporter for Block Club Chicago, joined me as a guest, focusing on the seismic impact of recent ICE raids across the city.
Francia shares her on-the-ground reporting, giving us a clear view of how these raids affect Chicago’s vibrant Latino communities and the real-world consequences for local, family-owned small businesses.
In this episode, you will learn about:
The Climate of Fear: What it feels like on the ground in neighborhoods under the threat of enforcement, and how that uncertainty translates into daily life for residents and families.
The CPD Question: The growing and uncertain role of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) as perceived by community members and leaders, and why this relationship with ICE is a major concern for local advocacy groups.
Economic Impact: How the raids are creating a ripple effect, specifically hitting the revenue and stability of small businesses in the coverage area.
The Institutional Response: How schools, local institutions, and the City of Chicago have stepped up—or fallen short—in their response to protect residents.
Community Resilience: Stories of how community members are working together to protect one another, from setting up rapid response networks to providing legal and social support.
Protection of local journalists: What Francia and her fellow journalist colleagues have experienced with the raids, the attack on her colleagues and the WGN producer who was forcibly detained, and how they are protecting themselves in their work.
This is essential listening to understand the dynamics at play in Chicago’s immigrant communities right now.
Connect with Francia Garcia Hernandez:
Read her work at: Block Club Chicago
Instagram: francia_garciah
To report any ICE activities caught on video, please send them to:
tinyurl.com/chicagojournalists
Note from Randy: The last 30 seconds of the episode went silent so my apologies to listeners
This episode features an in-depth conversation with Aaron Yin, an organizer based in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.
Aaron shares his four years of experience in the organizing space, offering valuable insights into what it truly means to be an activist today, especially for those just starting out. He breaks down how community organizing can look on a hyper-local level, emphasizing the importance of building relationships right in your apartment complex and neighborhood.
Community Engagement, Deconstructed: Aaron demystifies the idea of “community engagement,” explaining how to connect with neighbors and build local power from the ground up.
Actionable Steps for Beginners: If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. Aaron provides concrete, actionable steps that anyone can take to enter the organizing space, regardless of their experience level.
The Burnout Antidote: Organizing is long-term work. Aaron discusses his strategies for avoiding burnout and sustaining activism, drawing from his popular viral videos on the subject.
Aaron’s approach offers a practical, grounded roadmap for moving from being a passive observer to an engaged participant in your local community.
Bio:
Aaron Yin is an organizer currently based in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, with four years of experience in the field.
He is known for his work on the Politically Asian! Podcast and, more recently, for several viral Instagram videos that offer accessible guidance on community building. His popular video content covers essential topics for new organizers, including tips on how to get political slowly, strategies for finding friends and groups to organize with, and practical advice for avoiding burnout.
Aaron currently dedicates his time to organizing with several groups in Crown Heights, focusing on building strong relationships within his apartment complex and the wider neighborhood.
A State of Emergency: Resisting ICE in Chicago
Trigger/Content Warning: Episode will mention ICE raids, violent detainment, and police brutality. Recorded on Tuesday, 10/13/25 at 7:30 pm US Central.
The city of Chicago is currently grappling with a climate of fear and constitutional crisis following escalated raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In this critical emergency episode, we host Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez of the 25th Ward, a leading voice on the front lines of this fight, representing communities like Pilsen and Little Village.
Alderman Sigcho-Lopez shares a direct, unfiltered account of what is happening on the ground:
The Breakdown of Order: We discuss evidence of ICE agents violating federal court orders, challenging the constitutional rights of Chicago residents, and operating with impunity in immigrant communities.
Calling Out the Governor: The Alderman provides a sharp critique of Governor Pritzker and the failure of state-level law enforcement (Illinois State Police and Chicago Police) to utilize their authority to protect local residents and enforce existing sanctuary policies.
Community Mobilization: Hear how the 25th Ward office is working hand-in-hand with rapid response networks and grassroots organizations—the true frontline defense—to track ICE activity, connect families with legal aid, and provide necessary resources.
Systemic Roots of the Crisis: This episode connects the current immigration enforcement crisis to a broader history of systemic oppression that has long targeted and harmed Black, Latino, and other marginalized communities in Chicago.
This is more than an update—it's a call to action to understand your rights and the power of local organizing.
Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward)
Alderman's Office Phone: (773) 523-4100
25th Ward Website: [Link to 25th Ward website, if applicable]
Rapid Response/Know Your Rights:
Chicago ICE Raid Hotline: [Insert Local Hotline Number]
[Link to a 'Know Your Rights' guide from a local immigrant rights organization]
1. SHARE THIS EPISODE: The best defense is community knowledge. Share this episode immediately to get this critical information to every resident in Chicago and beyond.
2. GET INVOLVED: Contact the 25th Ward office or a local rapid response network to volunteer, donate, or get Know Your Rights training.
3. SUBSCRIBE to The Banh Mi Chronicles for more episodes challenging the status quo.
Guest & ResourcesCall to Action (CTA)
What happens when your intersectional identity meets the social media algorithm?
This week on The Banh Mi Chronicles, we sit down with the incredibly insightful Johnathan Gibbs—a queer Black and Filipino content creator and founder of The Otaku Choir. Johnathan shares his unique journey, from navigating his Black and Filipino roots growing up in Mississippi to making his mark as a creator in NYC. We dive deep into the current social media landscape, how platform algorithms affect building content and genuine community, and what it truly means to create space for your authentic self online.
Bio:
Johnathan Gibbs is a trailblazing content creator who has been at the forefront of online media since 2008, when YouTube and digital platforms were still in their early days. As a Black Filipino American, Johnathan brings a unique perspective on life experiences at the intersection of Black and Asian identity, which he has shared fearlessly throughout his career. His past work includes hosting the award-winning podcast This QPOC Life, which offered nuanced and insightful views of the world through the lens of a queer person of color.
In 2020, during a time of heightened tension between Black and Asian communities, Johnathan founded the Black and Asian Alliance Network, fostering solidarity, advocacy, and understanding. His work has been recognized with the Brooklyn Free Speech Award for outstanding contributions to media and activism.
Today, Johnathan is the founder and artistic director of the NYC Otaku Choir, a first-of-its-kind community ensemble that blends anime, video game, and Asian pop culture repertoire with choral traditions. Through this project, he continues his commitment to uplifting marginalized voices, advocating for representation, and creating spaces that reflect the diversity of New York City.
With an unwavering dedication to community, artistry, and social justice, Johnathan continues to inspire and empower others—leaving an indelible mark on both digital and real-world stages.
IG: @ jonahsahn
Jung is back on my podcast again to give us a rundown of what is being used by ICE, police, and military, and what you need to do in case you come in contact with any chemicals.
Also, check out my previous episode with Jung in case you missed it which is ICE Raids & Protest Safety Episode
There are more safety tips and awareness on chemical weapon contact if you go to:
https://open.substack.com/pub/randykim/p/emergency-minisode-protecting-yourself?r=z5drm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
In this emergency episode of The Banh Mi Chronicles Podcast, I’m joined by Mahdis Azimi, a Chicago-based immigration attorney working closely with clients who are facing deportation threats and uncertain legal status amid the current ICE raids in the city.
Mahdis sheds light on the rapidly changing immigration landscape, the fear and confusion facing undocumented and mixed-status families and legal status folks, and the urgent work being done by attorneys and advocates to defend their clients and communities.
We also discuss what local communities can do to support those feeling threatened and how solidarity and accurate information can be a powerful defense in times like these.
🎧 Listen to the full episode for her critical insights and practical guidance.
Please share widely — our neighbors’ safety depends on awareness and action.
Bio:
Mahdis Azimi is a proud Iranian-American based out of Chicago, Illinois. She founded her immigration law practice in 2019 and has been practicing law since 2015. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago and her Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. In addition to her practice, Mahdis actively volunteers with several local organizations and is currently an Honors College instructor at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
LinkedIn: Mahdis Azimi
Website: www.azimilaw.com
Email: mahdis@azimilaw.com
Relevant Links:
ICE Detainee Locator: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (“ICIRR”) Know Your Rights Cards: https://www.icirr.org/fsn
Immigrant Legal Resource Center (“ILRC”) Know Your Rights Cards: https://www.ilrc.org/community-resources/know-your-rights
Midwest Immigration Bond Fund:
https://www.mibfc.org
Executive Office for Immigration Review (“EOIR”) List of Pro Bono Legal Services Providers: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers
National Lawyers Guild Chicago: https://nlgchicago.org
More than just a vacation: Insight into the 47% rise in US expats, and how living abroad fosters profound connections and understanding.
Join us for an enlightening conversation with the incredible Nicole Brewer, an English Language teacher, travel blogger, author, and co-founder of the expansive travel community, I Luv 2 Globe Trot.
Speaking to us from Oman, her home for the past decade, Nicole shares the powerful story of what led her to embrace life abroad—from South Africa and Germany to South Korea and now Oman—and how travel became a defining part of her identity and connection to the world.
We dive into the origins of I Luv 2 Globe Trot, the active social media group she co-founded with her friend Renee Evans that has grown into a community of thousands of expats and travelers. Nicole gets candid about the struggles of navigating the expat life: balancing a new home while staying present for family and friends back in the US, and dealing with the worries about the political and social climate back home.
Finally, we discuss the rising trend of US citizens choosing to live abroad and how travel can create deeper connections, expand understanding, and expose us to essential perspectives we wouldn’t encounter otherwise.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
What led Nicole to leave the US and live abroad for over 15+ years.
The inspiration and impact behind the growing I Luv 2 Globe Trot community.
The emotional labor of being an expat: staying connected to home while building a life in a foreign country and figuring out the long-term future.
How travel can fundamentally change your worldview and understanding.
The growing number of US expats choosing a life overseas.
Bio:
Nicole Brewer is an English Language teacher, travel blogger, author, and freelance writer. She has traveled to over 50 countries and lived abroad in South Africa, Germany, South Korea and presently in Oman for 10 years. She has a zest for the expat lifestyle and has a goal of inspiring others to travel and live abroad.
She is the author of “A Guide to Landing an English Teaching Job Abroad” and “An ABC Guide to Children’s Games Around the Globe”. She is also the Co-Founder of the I Luv 2 Globe Trot travel site and community, as well as a Certified Travel Advisor with Fora. With features on CNBC, CNN Travel, Forbes, TripAdvisor, and National Geographic Traveler, she’ll continue to inspire as she globe trots.
To follow Nicole:
Instagram: nicole.iluv2globetrot
LinkedIn: Nicole Brewer
Travel Advisor Information: https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/nicole-brewer