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15 Best Podcasts From AAPI Creators to Add to Your List

Plug into these entertaining and educational listens from Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

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This year marks a watershed moment for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in the media with Everything Everywhere All At Once, a uniquely Asian American multiverse fantasy film about an immigrant Chinese family, winning more above-the-line Oscars than any movie ever in the 95 years of the Academy Awards. Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian woman ever to win the Academy Award for Best Actress and Ke Huy Quan became the first Asian man since 1985 to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Now more than ever, the complex Asian American experience is being recognized as an integral part of the fabric of America, which is a major development given the history of oppression and silencing — including being limited to the “perpetual foreigner” or “model minority” identities — that the AAPI community has been subject to in the United States. The Asian American and Pacific Islander experience is woven together with multiple perspectives and vantage points, each of which is made unique by the intersecting identities—such as ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, and socioeconomic status—of each person of Asian and Pacific Islander descent.

This list of the best AAPI podcasts features Asian American and Pacific Islander hosts and guests telling their stories of individuality, nonconformity and dissent. These audio interviews and stories highlight the voices of AAPI women, parents and leaders, pinpoint political and cultural issues in the AAPI community, and feature downright hilarious and entertaining content by AAPI creators that cover topics like food, systemic racism, politics, history, and pop culture. Whether you’re looking to learn, laugh or level critique on anti-Asian racism, this list of podcasts offers illuminating soundscapes of the AAPI experience.

1

TigerBelly

best aapi podcasts tigerbelly
Amazon/Wondery

Hosted by legendary Korean American comedian Bobby Lee and his best friend Khalyla, this hilarious podcast has been running every week since 2015. Featuring an impressive slate of celebrities as guests, including Daniel Dae Kim and Keke Palmer, and centering Lee’s trademark irreverent humor, the show talks about it all, from celebrity gossip to sex to where to find the best Korean groceries in Los Angeles.

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2

Yo, Is This Racist?

best aapi podcasts yo, is this racist
Andrew Ti, Tawny Newsome

Based on an important and omnipresent question, this "edutaining" podcast hosted by creator and blogger Andrew Yi and co-host Tawny Newsome takes a humorous yet critical look at listener submissions and answers whether and how something is or is not racist. Usually, the answer is a resounding “Yes.” In an interview about the podcast, Yi says “It’s really easy to answer these questions…If you have to ask, it’s racist.” If you’ve been wondering if and how something is racist, make sure to call in and leave a voicemail for the hosts to discuss in a future episode at 323-389-RACE.

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3

Las Culturistas

best aapi podcasts las culturistas
Forever Dog Podcasts

Hosted by Saturday Night Live headliner Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, this award-winning podcast covers all aspects of pop culture. Marked by the hosts’ tongue-in-cheek commentary and their proficiency in industry knowledge and analysis, the podcast welcomes powerhouse guests like Michelle Yeoh, Margaret Cho and Stephanie Hsu and comments on awards ceremonies like the Oscars, recent film releases, and buzzy cultural moments in need of the hosts’ insights.

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4

Book Friends Forever

best aapi podcasts book friends forever
Hachette

A podcast—hosted by author and illustrator Grace Lin and editor Alvina Ling—that discusses hot topics in the children’s literature world? “Yes, please,” say AAPI parents and kids lit fans everywhere. Listen to conversations about aging, happiness, the meaning of home, self-care and the intricacies of the publishing scene with these knowledgeable and thoughtful industry leaders. One reviewer says, “This podcast is like your favorite sweatpants–comfy, cozy, and perfect to put on while making dinner.”

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5

Shoes Off Inside with MKT

best aapi podcasts shoes off inside
May Lee, Kelly Hu and Tamlyn Tomita

Formerly The May Lee Show, this podcast has expanded from its singular host cast to a dynamic trio of Asian American female media stars: award-winning journalist May Lee and actresses Kelly Hu and Tamlyn Tomito–collectively known as “MKT.” The hosts self-identify as “50+ and fabulous so they got nothing to hide,” which makes for incisive and humorous commentary on current events, pop culture and AAPI issues. Transitioning from The May Lee show’s topical focus on the impact of AAPI people on local and national platforms, this podcast offers open, honest, and fun commentary that questions stale stereotypes about race, age, sex and culture.

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6

Escape From Plan A

best aapi podcasts  escape from plan a
Plan A Magazine

Created by writers from Plan A Magazine, this podcast aims to encourage critical thought, discussion and action amongst the Asian diaspora to collectively empower the AAPI community. The show alternates between group commentary and interviews on issues like anti-Asian violence, politics and pop culture. Started in 2017 and on its way to its 500th episode, this prolific and long-running podcast continues to examine critical issues relevant to the AAPI community.

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7

Add to Cart

best aapi podcasts add to cart
Lemonada

Hosted by two powerhouse Asian women in media, journalist SuChin Pak and comedian-writer-director Kulap Vilaysack, this podcast offers a subversive take on consumer culture and the objects, trends, philosophies and people that we “buy into.” Each week, the hosts chat about what they are adding or removing from their metaphorical and literal carts, taking home things that are worth the emotional and monetary investment and returning the others.

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8

Mx. Asian American

best aapi podcasts  mx asian american
Karen Zheng

This podcast hosted by Karen Zheng explores the complicated intersection between Asian and American identity. Semi-weekly, Zheng invites business owners, creators and politicians from around the country to talk about all things Asian American. Join in on conversations about AAPI food, the stigma of mental illness, racism, parenting models and love languages.

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9

Politically Asian Podcast

best aapi podcasts  politically asian podcast
Gerrie Lim and Aaron Yin

Through incisive humor and sharp insight, comedians Aaron Yin and Gerrie Lim tackle current events and politics affecting the AAPI community in this podcast. Every week, the hosts dive into topics like caste, Ivy League universities and white supremacy through satire and close analysis. They describe their show as: “Think John Oliver's show, but there's two of us, and we're Asian.”

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10

Asian American History 101

best aapi podcasts  asian american history 101
Gen & Ted

Daughter and father podcasting team Gen and Ted Lai lead listeners through deep dives into critical and sometimes overlooked moments and figures in Asian American history. The hosts have covered tasty topics like the history of Ketchup and Vietnamese food and serious ones like the impact of anti-miscegenation laws on AAPI communities. They also shed light on important but neglected figures in AAPI history, like Wataru Misaka, the first nonwhite and first person of Asian descent to play in the NBA. Come for the wholesome family banter and leave with unforgettable moments in AAPI history.

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11

AsianBossGirl

best aapi podcasts  asian bossgirl
Melody Cheng, Helen Wu, & Janet Wang

This podcast that celebrates Asian boss girls is created and hosted by, well, three Asian boss girls. Based in Los Angeles, hosts Melody Cheng, Helen Wu and Janet Wang offer advice on topics relevant to modern Asian American womanhood. They cover issues like managing burnout and toxic work relationships in their demanding careers in finance, technology and media, as well as sex, relationships, breakups and pop culture. Check out this witty and fun podcast to empower yourself to be the Asian boss girl that you truly are.

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12

They Call Us Bruce

best aapi podcasts  they call us bruce
Jeff Yang & Phil Yu

Writer Phil Yu, creator of Angry Asian Man, and journalist Jeff Yang tackle notable and controversial subjects in contemporary Asian America in this energetic podcast. They’ve explored topics like what it means to be “very Asian,” the significance of the first Asian superhero movie, and how to battle anti-Asian racism. The hosts interview notable AAPI figures like Your Korean Dad, Jon Chu and Domee Shi to talk about racism, representation and revelation.

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13

Dear White Women

best aapi podcasts  dear white women
Sara and Misasha

Hosted by Sara and Misasha, two half-Asian women and mothers of multi-racial children, this podcast aims to reveal and uproot systemic racism and center conversations relating to social justice, equal rights and community organizing. Talking about the intersections of race, class and gender, the hosts share their experiences as biracial women straddling the color line between Asian and white identities. Join in on these productive and challenging dialogues about colorism, anti-racism and reclaiming and refashioning AAPI identity.

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14

Dear Asian Americans

best aapi podcasts  dear asian americans
Just Like Media

Hosted by Jerry Won, this podcast is made by and for Asian Americans. Semi-weekly, Won interviews AAPI guests from diverse backgrounds and career paths to curate narratives that unify, uplift and inspire other Asian Americans. His various guests have talked about navigating cultural identity, how to build community and the importance of AAPI activism.

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15

Time to Say Goodbye

best aapi podcasts  time to say goodbye
Jay Caspian Kang, Tammy Kim, and Andy Liu

Hosted by a trio of Asian creators, Jay Caspian Kang, Tammy Kim and Andy Liu, this podcast opens each episode with a round of applause and a snippet of the overture of the Italian ballad “Time to Say Goodbye.” The eclectic show interviews an AAPI guest each week to talk about a wide range of topics relating to the Asian diaspora like identity politics, gender roles and grief.

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