Yellow Glitter

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:

• Roque Rodriguez

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

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

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:

http://www.rainvaldez.com/

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook (@RainValdez)

You can follow me at:

Instagram (instagram.com/stevenwakabayashi)

YouTube (youtube.com/stevenwakabayashi)

Weekly Newsletter (mindfulmoments.substack.com)

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)

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