
Yellow Glitter
Steven Wakabayashi
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Top 10 Yellow Glitter Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Yellow Glitter episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Yellow Glitter for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Yellow Glitter episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

05/31/23 • 49 min
In this episode, we’re joined by an extra special guest, Dr. Jonathan Tolentino, Program Director of the Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency program at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at University of Miami. We chat about intersectional healthcare and the importance of understanding our history, legislation, and evolving healthcare to show up for our historically marginalized communities & youth.
We chat about:
- The importance of recognizing the intersectionality of gender, race, and sexuality in healthcare.
- The future of our ever-evolving medical field.
- Our stories of acceptance and fitting in and the growing visibility of queer identities around the world.
- Discriminatory laws and their impact on our historically marginalized communities, especially our youth.
- The importance of showing up and holding our legislators accountable
You can more of JT at:
- Instagram: @jonjon980206
You can follow me at:
- Website: yellowglitterpodcast.com
- Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi
- YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi
- Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

#33 State of COVID & healing our queer Asian identities with Dr. JT (Jonathan Tolentino)
Yellow Glitter
11/07/21 • 69 min
We have another beautiful episode chatting about COVID, our mental health, and our future. We're joined by an extra special guest Dr. JT, Jonathan Tolentino, who is the Program Director of the Combined Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Residency program at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami and Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at University of Miami.
In this episode we talk about:
- The state of COVID and vaccinations
- Navigating misinformation through COVID
- How communities have learned through history of AIDS and SARS
- GaysOverCOVID and quarrels within our queer community during COVID
- Sexual and ethnic minority stress theory on how we see and react to the world
- Breaking out of the cycle of comparison, judgement, self-criticism
- How to become allies with one another - especially within our LGBTQ+ community
- Becoming more aware of our privilege
- Jonathan's coming out story
- Navigating queer identities in the Asian community
You can find JT at:
- Instagram: @jonjon980206
You can follow me at:
- Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi
- YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi
- Weekly Newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

#32 Rainbow-washing and performative allyship of pride
Yellow Glitter
06/24/21 • 46 min
This week, we're joined by our favorite Derek Tran once again to chat about the state of COVID, rainbow-washing, performative allyship, and showing up authentically.
In this episode we talk about:
- Derek's Tinder profile. Yes. Really.
- COVID mask mandates going down in many parts of America
- Rainbow-washing and performative allyship from companies
- Goods Unite Us revealing of where corporate sponsorship is going toward
- The capital reason why it's valuable to rainbow-wash and market pride
- Why we all still need to support pride as a protest
- The shift away from hiring police at pride
- Why everyone needs to stop eating at the evil chicken shop
- Showing up authentically yourself this pride season
- Speaking with our action vs. performance
References
You can find Derek at:
- Instagram: @findyourfearless
You can follow me at:
- Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi
- YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi
- Weekly Newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

06/14/21 • 41 min
Another wonderful episode with our lovely guest Derek Tran, to talk about issues surrounding activism, current-day events, and the Asian culture.
In this episode we talk about:
- Flashback to Xanga? Livejournal?
- Our COVID check-in and thoughts on the CDC directive to remove masks in the US
- Trump's rhetoric that catalyzed so much of the Asian hate we face
- Shallow activism in celebrities and gay community
- Becoming more conscious of the news we take in
- Why we need to call in vs. calling each other out
- The shift in younger generation and activism
You can find Derek at:
- Instagram: @findyourfearless
You can follow me at:
- Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi
- YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi
- Weekly Newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

04/09/21 • 55 min
Derek Tran and I chat about the rising anti-Asian hate crimes and what we can do to keep ourselves safe and sane during this time.
In this episode we talk about:
- COVID and where we are at with vaccinations
- Issues with performative social media activists
- How allies can show up - with more actionable steps
- The intersection of mindfulness and activism
- Struggling to find our voice as Asian-Americans
- Standing up within our romantic relationships to microaggressions
- Why addressing cultural issues in Asia, by denigrating Asian-Americans don’t work
- Our social media feeds full of trauma porn
- Why we both still hate Chick-fil-A
- How can keep ourselves safe from hate crimes and attacks
You can find Derek at:
- Instagram: @findyourfearless
You can follow me at:
- Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi
- YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi
Weekly Newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

01/24/21 • 71 min
This episode, I’m joined by Kim Thai, founder of ganeshspace, an organization dedicated to making mindfulness a more equitable space. We chat about the current politics of America, how we can show up with compassion in activism, understanding ourselves before helping others, and her journey of finding her queer identity after marriage. Enjoy!
Kim Thai is a writer, Emmy-award winning producer, and the founder of ganeshspace, a community organization dedicated to pursuing equity through mindfulness. She is a proud daughter of Vietnamese refugees and is currently living in NYC with her partner and two cats.
In this episode we talk about:
- Advice on managing this pandemic for extroverts
- What politics of today say reflect what is happening deep down inside of America
- How to hold compassion for those we don’t agree with
- Why we need to first assess our own bandwidth before we give
- The truth behind humor when it appears during traumatic conversations
- Her journey coming out of a marriage to discover her queer identity
- How to show up for oneself to bring change to others around us
- Ganeshpace and creating equity and collaboration in the mindfulness space
Show notes:
You can find Kim Thai at:
- ganeshspace: ganeshspace.com
- ganeshspace Instagram: @ganeshspace
- Instagram: @kthai6
You can follow me at:
- Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi
- YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi
- Weekly Newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

10/30/20 • 62 min
In this episode, we are joined by Jon Lee-Olsen, a professional ice-hockey player who made headlines as the first openly out player in Europe and third in the world. We talk about his experience coming out nationally, managing relationships alongside a sports career, and his experiences as a transracial adoptee.
Jon (he/him) is Danish transracial adoptee from Korea who currently lives in Copenhagen Denmark. He was the first to come out as a gay man in professional ice-hockey in Europe and the third in the world. Now he is harnessing his story to help uplift LGBTQ+ and the Asian community.
In this episode we talk about:
- Experiences of being an Asian transracial adoptee growing up in a white community
- How he discovered hockey while coming to terms with his own sexuality
- His experience coming out on national television for the first time
- Combatting the fears of being the first openly out gay ice-hockey player in Europe
- How being open about his identity improved his hockey
- Lessons in relationships balancing a professional sports career
Show notes:
- LGBTQ+ organizations (list on Wikipedia)
- Jon Lee-Olsen comes out nationally (OutSports)
- You can find Jon Lee-Olsen next at Copenhagen world pride 2021, Eurogames 2021, Athlete ally, Sport leaders conference 2021 (CPH), and Human rights forum 2021 (CPH).
You can find Jon Lee-Olsen at:
Instagram: @jonleeolsen
Twitter: @jonleeolsen
Facebook: @jonleeolsen
You can follow me at:
Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi
YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi
Weekly Newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com

09/18/20 • 57 min
In this episode, we are joined by Rain Valdez to talk about her journey from the Philippines and Guam to the Emmy-nominated actress and producer she is today. We talk about her Emmy-nominated show, Razor Tongue, as well as her recent work on Disclosure highlighting the impact Hollywood has had on the trans community. We have a beautiful conversation with Rain about trans talent and the importance of visibility and stories in media.
Rain Valdez is an Emmy nominated actress most notably known for Razor Tongue, Transparent and Why Women Kill. She's an award-winning filmmaker and an out and proud transgender woman and activist. Rain is also the founder of ActNOW, the first and only LGBTQIA+ acting class in Los Angeles that teaches beyond the binary.
On this episode we talk about:
- COVID-19 check-in and finding motivation to get fit during quarantine
- Her story growing up in the Philippines and Guam
- Finding pride in her heritage and how it translates into her work
- Knowing her dream to become an actress early on and getting started with her career
- The struggles of finding work as an Asian and trans actress
- When she quit acting and boomeranging back
- What she asks herself when she questions her dreams
- Her response to Disclosure on Netflix and why we need to raise trans voices now more than ever
- What the Emmy nomination means to her, especially as the very first Filipina trans actress
- Giving trans talent access to more opportunity to tell different stories
- Why being accessible and creating a loving set is critical towards equity
- Rain’s inspiration behind her acting class, ACT NOW
“Move mountains with the people that you love. Find people in your community that you want to move mountains ... you’ll find joy in creating with those people because you’re doing it together."
Show notes:
- Fitness classes with Chloe Tang: chloeting.com | @chloe_t
- Disclosure on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81284247
- Razor Tongue (Rain’s Emmy Nominee!) https://www.noweverartists.com/razortongue
- Pose on FX: https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/pose
- ACT NOW: https://www.noweverartists.com/act-nowever
You can find Rain Valdez at:
Instagram, Twitter, Facebook (@RainValdez)
You can follow me at:
Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi)
YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi)
Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)

07/30/20 • 97 min
In this episode, we are joined by Amazin LeThi, LGBTQ+ sports ambassador, former competitive bodybuilder, entertainment executive, and fitness author to chat about current events and her life journey. We talk about trans-racial issues, equity and representation in media, and body positivity, homelessness in our queer community, and so much more.
Amazin LeThi (she/her) is an Athlete Ally and Stonewall sports ambassador, former competitive bodybuilder, entertainment executive and the first Vietnamese internationally published fitness author. Through her personal journey of homelessness she founded the Amazin LeThi Foundation. Amazin has shared her story for ‘Its Gets Better’ campaign and the first White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Asian anti-bullying campaign 'Act to Change'. She has been recognized by GLAAD and NQAPIA for her LGBTQ advocacy. She was the first Asian LGBTQ Athlete in 2020 to be honoured at the Brooklyn Nets 4th Annual Pride Night, she has also been listed in the Australian Pride Power List, Out 100 List, Go Magazine 100 Women We Love List, 2020 Global Changemakers and acknowledged in the Human Rights Campaign - Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Honours list.
On this episode we talk about:
- Managing through this current pandemic and ways Amazin is finding balance of news with classical music and fitness
- Her story growing up in Saigon and being adopted into a trans-racial family in Australia
- The complexities of racism and prejudice between trans-racial adoptees and their family
- Getting involved with weight training as the only queer and Asian individaul as an eight year old.
- Going back to Vietnam and reconnecting with her Asian identity
- The duality of identity between East and Western culture, hypersexualized and de-sexualized Asian men and women in media
- Becoming open to vulnerability and accepting ourselves unconditionally
- Body positivity within the queer community and gender roles we are often asked to play into
- Queer Asian representation in our media, education and history books
- Homelessness and its impact to our LGBTQ+ youth, mental health, and livelihoods
- The power of solidarity and sharing our stories together
You can find Amazin at:
amazinlethi.com
Instagram, Twitter, Facebook (@AmazinLeThi)
You can follow me at:
Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi)
YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi)
Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)

10/04/23 • 60 min
In this episode, we're joined by Haruka Aoki, a queer Japanese artist and poet-illustrator, who takes us on a journey of self-discovery and artistic expression.
In this episode, we chat about:
- The challenges of integrating into a new community
- The impact migration can have on identity and intersectionality
- The power of manifestation and the importance of collaboration in the creative process
- The importance of solidarity among marginalized communities
- Issues of performative activism and establishing genuine allyship
- Raising the bottom line for our underrepresented and historically marginalized communities
- Challenges and benefits of social media
- Haruka’s book tour and upcoming projects
You can find Haruka at:
- Website: https://harukaaoki.com
- Instagram: @thecosmicharuka
You can follow me at:
- Instagram: @stevenwakabayashi
- YouTube: @stevenwakabayashi
- Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: mindfulmoments.substack.com
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FAQ
How many episodes does Yellow Glitter have?
Yellow Glitter currently has 57 episodes available.
What topics does Yellow Glitter cover?
The podcast is about Lgbt, Meditation, Health & Fitness, Society & Culture, Mental Health, Podcasts, Asian, Queer and Mindfulness.
What is the most popular episode on Yellow Glitter?
The episode title '#50 Drag, Self Expression & Asian Representation with Miss Shu Mai' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Yellow Glitter?
The average episode length on Yellow Glitter is 54 minutes.
How often are episodes of Yellow Glitter released?
Episodes of Yellow Glitter are typically released every 27 days, 13 hours.
When was the first episode of Yellow Glitter?
The first episode of Yellow Glitter was released on Aug 4, 2019.
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