In this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia explore their complex feelings about their motherlands and mother tongues. Virginia shares her experiences of taking her family to Taiwan every summer to immerse her children in Mandarin Chinese and discusses the challenges and benefits of bilingual homeschooling. The hosts also reflect on their personal connections to their ancestral homelands, the importance of cultural identity, and the nuances of being Asian American. The discussion extends to the broader implications of cultural heritage, community, and identity formation. - Challenges and Benefits of Bilingualism - The Importance of Language and Cultural Identity - Identity and Being the Perpetual Foreigner - Connecting to Heritage and Culture - Cultural Markers of Asian American Identity

In this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, Stella and Virginia delve into the Hallyu wave, exploring its origins, influence on global pop culture, and the nuanced feelings it generates within the Asian American community. They discuss the rise of Korean pop culture, the interplay between personal and cultural identity, and the implications of this soft power.  -The Rise of Korean Pop Culture -The Impact of Hallyu on Asian American Identity -Navigating Stereotypes and Fetishization -Cultural Commodification and Representation -Challenges of Representation

In this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia share insights into their parenting styles, experiences, and challenges. They discuss homeschooling, breaking generational curses, and fostering open communication and emotional intelligence in their children. They also reflect on their own upbringings, the impact of their parents' parenting methods, and how these experiences shape their current approach to raising their kids. The conversation delves into topics like setting expectations, allowing room for mistakes, and preparing children for adulthood. -Reflecting on Our Own Upbringing -Parenting Styles: Benign Neglect vs. Hippie Dippie -Teaching Life Skills to Kids -Balancing Parenting Responsibilities with Personal Freedom -Coping Mechanisms and Support -Proud Parenting Moments

In this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia discuss the complexities of changing one's mind and influencing others' opinions. They reflect on their personal journeys of evolving opinions, influenced by empathy, fiction, and rigorous inquiry. The conversation covers the challenges of progressive movements, the effects of evangelical background on current beliefs, and the intersection of personal values with public discourse. They emphasize the importance of empathy and shared human experiences in fostering meaningful change. -Navigating Social Media and Opinions -The Challenge of Changing Minds -The Role of Values in Shaping Opinions -Debating with Loved Ones -Leaving the Church -The Importance of Empathy and Fiction

In this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia discuss the discomfort many feel around acknowledging their strengths. They delve into cultural and personal reasons behind this unease, the fear of being perceived as boastful, and the impact of societal norms. Through a candid and humorous exchange, they find ways to celebrate their own and each other's strengths, touching on themes of self-acceptance, cultural humility, and the importance of having a supportive community. -The Discomfort of Stating Our Strengths -Navigating Perceptions and Fears -Recognizing and Owning Our Strengths -Self-Doubt and Occam's Razor -Diplomacy and Compliments -Creative Struggles -Self-Promotion and Mentorship -Celebrating Strengths

In this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia Duan dive deep into the topic of fear and its impact on their lives. Virginia shares her personal fears related to parenting, driving over bridges, and the trauma from reading news stories. Stella discusses her fears around missed potential and self-perception. Both co-hosts reflect on how fear has influenced their decisions, particularly in homeschooling and parenting, and the coping mechanisms they use to manage their anxieties. Their candid and vulnerable conversation navigates through the complexities of fear, parenting, and personal growth. Content Warning: Suicidal ideation (33:37) -Dreams and Recurring Nightmares -Impact of Fear on Parenting Decisions -Deciding on Schooling for Our Kids -Fears from Our Own Childhoods -Managing Anxiety and Self-Perception -The Impact of Fear on Self-Image -Dealing with Suicidal Thoughts -Embracing Our Brazen Selves

In this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia, interview their special guest, Lazou. Lazou is a multi-hyphenate producer, writer, podcaster, artist, singer, songwriter, and musician, Her podcast, Nuances, is about the Asian diaspora at the intersection of career, culture, and community. The conversation revolves around her podcast’s new season: Queering Premodern Asia. Lazou discusses why she started this series, her challenges while researching, her findings, as well as provides background for her podcast and Asian American identity.  -Queer Asian History -Pinkwashing  -Colonial Homophobia -Historical LGBTQIA+ Terminology -Asian American Identity -Historical Erasure of LGBTQIA+ Stories

In this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia, introduce their special guest, Serena Cerezo Poon. Serena, a queer Asian American woman working in finance and founder of the startup Prism, shares her poignant journey of coming out, facing family rejection, and ultimately finding acceptance. The conversation delves into the challenges Serena faced, including spiritual abuse and conservative upbringing, and how she managed to reconcile her identity with her family relationships over time. Serena highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for marginalized communities, inspired by her own experiences growing up in conflicting cultural environments. The episode underscores themes of resilience, community-building, and the continuous process of taking up space authentically. -Navigating Identity in Different Spaces -Coming Out and Family Reactions -Reconciling Faith and Identity -Living Authentically and Family Dynamics -Struggles with Parental Acceptance -Choosing Silence Over Vitriol -Small Steps Towards Reconciliation -Rebuilding Relationships -Creating Safe Spaces and Community

In this episode of the Brazn Azn Podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia Duan discuss the complexities and nuances of Asian masculinity. They address qualifications to talk about the topic, how non-masculine traits are perceived in Asian culture versus Western culture, and the intersection of racism, patriarchy, and masculinity. Additionally, they explore personal anecdotes, the influence of K-pop and K-dramas, and the importance of inclusivity for various groups within the Asian community. - Asian Masculinity - Impact of Misogyny on Masculinity - Raising Asian Boys - Western vs Asian Masculinity - Trans People and Gender Roles - Raising Kids with Awareness - System of Oppression in Communities - Men and Accountability - Asian Men and Incels - Privilege and Representation - Misogyny Towards Asian Men - Qualifying Masculinity - Ramifications of Toxic Masculinity - The Ideal Asian Masculinity

In this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia explore the nuanced discussions around representation, identity, and societal norms. They delve into the complexities of Asian American experiences, questioning the depth and authenticity of representation in media and culture. The conversation covers topics from respectability politics to systemic change, and the importance of embracing all aspects of identity. Through a candid discussion, they challenge the need for broader narratives that move beyond traditional stereotypes, emphasizing liberation and inclusion for all. - Understanding Representation and Its Limits - Why Traditional Narratives Aren't Enough - Challenging Norms and Embracing Complexity - Exploring Safe Spaces and Storytelling Agency - The Need for Systemic Change - Redefining Norms and Championing Inclusivity

In this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia delve into the multifaceted concept of representation, discussing its complexities, the nuanced layers of identity, and the often oversimplified solutions to systemic issues. They explore personal and cultural narratives around being Asian American, touching on aspects of motherhood, invisibility, and the desire for more complex depictions of Asian characters in media. The episode critically examines the progression from mere visibility to meaningful representation, highlighting insightful examples from pop culture and literature. -The Complicated Nature of Representation  -Navigating the Levels of Representation  -The Challenge of Authentic Representation  -Discussion on Babel -Exploring Asian Characters in Media  -Reflections on Representation

In this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, co-hosts Stella and Virginia engage in a candid conversation about the nuances of being perceived in both digital and physical spaces. They explore their personal experiences with identity, the Asian American experience, and the conflicts and comforts of visibility. From the complexities of online perception to the challenges of existing as queer, neurodivergent, and Asian in a predominantly white society, this episode dives deep into what it means to be seen and how we navigate the space between visibility and invisibility. Join them as they reflect on their own perceptions, share their journeys, and discuss the impact of representation. -The Brazn Azn Origin Story -The Complex Feelings Around Being Perceived  -Identity, Space, and Perception  -Public Versus Online Perception  -Impact of Identity on Perception

In this episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, hosts Stella and Virginia delve into the intricacies of promoting and sharing personal art, and exploring Virginia's debut novel, 'Illusive.' The conversation covers a broad range of topics including the vulnerability in self-promotion, the challenges of dealing with stereotypes, and the journey from concept to self-publishing. Through candid and heartfelt discussion, the show navigates the complexities of Asian American identity, personal aspirations, and the nuanced reality of becoming a published author. - Virginia's Debut Novel: Illusive  -The Struggle with Self-Promotion and Stereotypes  -The Complex Feelings of Sharing Personal Work  -The Journey of Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing  -Diving Into Pop Culture and Fiction  -The Challenges and Vulnerabilities of Promoting Fiction  -Navigating the Complexities of Asian American Identity Through Fiction  -Seeking Validation and Success in the Literary World

In the inaugural episode of the Brazn Azn podcast, hosts Virginia Duan and Stella embark on a journey to explore the identity, representation, and the multifaceted experiences of being a brazen Asian. From the origins of the podcast's name to confronting stereotypes and embracing the resistance in existence, this episode dives into personal anecdotes, the evolution of Asian American identity, and the power of existing as an act of defiance in a world that often tries to box in Asian women. Join Virginia and Stella as they navigate the complexities of representation, challenge the status quo, and celebrate the diversity of being Asian. -The Origin Story of Brazn Azn -The Evolution of 'Brazen Asian' -Representation and Identity -Challenging Stereotypes -Embracing Resistance