Yin & Young - EP40 - Actor Gregory Yuan and DP Richard Sue

A long time coming: Yin & Young return with an in-depth, behind the scenes discussion about the making of “Ahma & Alan” the short film. Back our Kickstarter here! Ends June 21st!

James wrote and directed the film, Richard Sue was the Director of Photography, Gregory Yuan played the lead character Alan.

Highlights:

• What prompted their interest to work on the film.

• Richard was the earliest collaborator.

• Genesis of the project - James was allegedly an illegal immigrant worker and was busted by the authorities.

• Richard and James met at De Anza College

• What it means to accept being Chinese, Taiwanese, Asian.

• Auditions: the callback was just a conversation.

• Their local Taiwanese producer polished the film with just a small budget.

• Started as a bare bones, skeleton crew and then grew in size.

• The producers were really down to earth, despite being really successful in the Taiwanese film industry.

• Was able to work with a veteran Taiwanese actor.

• The actors helped collaborate throughout the creative process.

• Overview of the shoot: 5 production days, short pre-production phase.

• Special thanks to all the cast, crew, and behind the scenes supporters that got this short film through production. Look for the film at a festival near you soon! - James

—

Language Corner

Japanese - いっらしゃいませ irrashaimasen - Welcome

Japanese (kansai dialect) - おきに okini - Thank you

Mandarin - 佛心 fo2xin1 - Buddha’s heart; having an open heart

Mandarin - 導演 dao3yan3 - director

Taiwanese - 我是台灣郎 góa sī Tâi-oân-lâng - I’m Taiwanese

—

Links!

More info on the short film “Ahma & Alan” go here: http://www.jamesyshih.com/

Richard Sue’s website (photography, cinematography): http://richardsjsue.com

Gregory Yuan’s website (acting): https://www.gregoryyuan.com/

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Listen to Yin & Young: Website | iTunes | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Stitcher

Yin & Young's Patreon Page is Up!

Finding guests, editing, posting on social media, takes a lot of time and effort. To help support our podcast and make it more sustainable, a small donation can go a long way. Take a look at our Patreon to see how you can help! We have great benefits: access to a patron only feed, a personal phone all from Yin and/or Young, and get a spot on our next episode. Thank you!

Support our podcast here!: https://www.patreon.com/yinyoungpodcast

Review us on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2

Yin & Young EP35 - Writer/Director Alex Chu - Part 1

Welcome back to Yin & Young the podcast! In this episode we spoke with Alex Chu, the writer and director of “For Izzy” (links below), an amazing film on the film circuit that delves into mental disorder, drug abuse, and the parent-child relationship in Asian American families. We delve into Alex's upbringing, thoughts on Asian representation, and his journey into filmmaking. Tiger Sheu returns as our special guest host!

Part 1: Growing Up (full episode in Youtube link above)

- Alex is originally from Canada and also spent part of his childhood in Libya due to his dad's job.

- Son of Taiwanese parents.

- Sent back to Canada for school.

- Regrets not learning the local language when living abroad.

- Lived in Asia (Hong Kong area) for 3 years

- Speaks English and Mandarin

- Grew up watching 80s films, lots of Arnold movies, Spielberg movies

- Growing up in Canada was fine, no overt racism, but did feel certain pressures like not wanting to speak Mandarin in public.

——

"For Izzy" links:

website - http://forizzy.com

FB - https://www.facebook.com/forizzythemovie

IG - https://www.instagram.com/forizzythemovie/

TW - https://twitter.com/forizzythemovie

——

Yin & Young links:

* Main Website: http://www.jamesyshih.com/yin-young-podcast/

* iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/

* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvtVW6pVPeKFn7H_6ai8lA?

* Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

Yin & Young EP32 - Film Talk and Death & Dating in Taiwan

Yin & Young discuss film and Young returns to Taiwan for a funeral and revisits a potential love.

Cinema Corner/Film Talk:
INFINITY WAR 00:00 - 14:10
* Dan liked that every hero's scene wasn't shortchanged.
* James was fairly positive about the film, you can listen to his movie debate on The Movie Standoff.
* Picking nits about some of the relationships of the movie.
* Thanos vs Apocalypse (X-Men)
* Apocalypse looked too cartoonish
SOLO  14:10 - 22:15
* ”Solo" James didn't enjoy the movie as much as "The Last Jedi".
* Dan thinks Kathleen Kennedy has lost her touch.
* There are no real stakes.

Back to Taiwan 22:15 - 32:00
The Funeral
* James went back to Taiwan to pay last respects to his grandmother.
* James reconnected with his mom after the funeral and was glad to see his mother's interactions with her siblings.

The Date in Taiwan 32:00 - 59:00
* James went on a date and was overthinking things. (小劇場 - xiao3ju4chang3 - lit. small stage play, but colloquially means “to overthink”)
* Date 1: They were sitting at Shida park and chatted, but James regrets not pushing things more.
* James utilized visualization techniques prior to his next date that helped him be more confident and bold and ask her back to his place.
* While they are watching a movie, James makes a move.
    * Listen for the outcome =)
* James gets his question answered.
* Dan shares his past dating experiences.
* James shares a time he got high.

Approaching Women 59:00 - 1:12:20
* James approaches a woman in a parking lot. Learns that he needs to be less creepy.
* Dan gives his approach tips.
* Attachment theory: Anxious, Avoidant, Secure
* James believes he deserves someone that’s emotionally stable.

Language Corner: 1:12:20 - 1:17:06
* 豁然開朗 - Huo4ran2kai1lang2 - suddenly see the light, a lyric from a song by Touming Magazine (透明雜誌).
* めぐら - megura - blinded by love

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Yin & Young links:
* Main Website: http://www.jamesyshih.com/yin-young-podcast/
* iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/
* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvtVW6pVPeKFn7H_6ai8lA?
* Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

Yin & Young EP31 - Writer Vicky Luu

Yin & Young and returning guest Laura Cox meet with writer and Young’s fellow Milpitas home girl Vicky Luu!

* Vicky and James went to the same high school, but didn’t connect until recently in LA through a mutual high school friend, Anson, Vicky’s first boyfriend.
* Vicky dated Anson out of social pressure.
* Vicky is into true crime stories.
* Vicky writes for Superstore.
* She likes to watch a lot of different shows to see what's available.
* Top 3 things she likes that doesn't involve screens, Hiking, Camping, Eating out with Friends.
* Born and raised in Milpitas, Vicky went to USC for undergrad, studied film and TV.
* She initially liked the production end of things.
* After graduating USC, she stayed in LA as a Production Assistant working in reality TV.
* Met her writing partner on the set of "Family Guy".
* They wrote a script and their bosses passed it onto UTA and they both got signed.
* Got their first gig on "Marry Me", then to "Grinder", then went to "Superstore" in their second season.
* Vicky is conversational in Vietnamese.
* Vicky came out as a lesbian in college. Vicky shares her dramatic coming out story with her parents which involves a short film, lots of laughing, and tears.
* We get an inside look into how a writer's room works.
* Yin leaves early because he has to take his Mom, a “Fast and the Furious” fan, to the airport in the morning.
* Vicky’s grown to love LA for all the options that are available.
* Vicky shares how she met her wife.
* Discussion veers to the label people have of each other.

Language Corner:
Mandarin (James): 辛苦 - xīnkǔ - suffering, toilsome
Korean (Laura): 짐이 많은  - jim-i manh-eun - burdensome
Vietnamese (Vicky): Dất ơi - Oh My God

Vicky Luu's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2936759/
Superstore on NBC: https://www.nbc.com/superstore

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Yin & Young links:
* Main Website: http://www.jamesyshih.com/yin-young-podcast/
* iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/
* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvtVW6pVPeKFn7H_6ai8lA?
* Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

Yin & Young Episode 30 - Actor George Q. Nguyen

Youtube link: https://youtu.be/6R_EhkohGP4 (or click picture above)

After a month-long hiatus, Yin & Young are back with an interview with actor George Q. Nguyen discussing his path from SF to LA and balancing a day job with an acting career.

- Young met George in the Bay Area for a screening of "The Grandmaster."
- George's parents used to teach language for the Defense Institute in Monterey. Was born in El Paso, but grew up in San Francisco. Started as a film major as an undergrad and filmed in 8mm.
- Took one acting class as undergrad. Realized was more passionate about being in front of the camera or on stage then behind the camera.
- Changed his major to Cellular & Molecular Biology, wanted a more practical major.
- Got a job at ACT selling tickets to upcoming shows and was able to take ACT classes at night.
Started working at a biotech before graduation.
- "Whenever a director asks you to audition, you audition," was one of the first great acting lessons he learned.
- Continued working both at a biotech firm and at ACT doing sales.
- Biotech pays the bills to allow George to pursue his creative endeavors.
- George got hit by a car not too long ago. Broke his leg in different parts and as gone through multiple operations to fix things. Rough start to 2018.
- Being a consultant/contractor allows for some flexibility to go to auditions.
- Tried various martial arts in SF such as Wing Chun where he learned in a garage.
- Oscar Corner: Yin and Young and George discuss some Best Films from 2017.
"Coco", "Three Billboards", "I, Tonya", "The Shape of Water."

LANGUAGE CORNER
Mandarin - 清明節 - Qīngmíng Jié - Tomb Sweeping Day
Vietnamese - đám giỗ - death anniversary.
Japanese (slang) - yankee - delinquent

George’s Links:
website: https://sites.google.com/site/geogenes/
films: https://sites.google.com/site/geogenes/george%27sfilms
imdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2852475/?ref_=nv_sr_4

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Yin & Young links:
* Main Website: http://www.jamesyshih.com/yin-young-podcast/
* iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/
* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvtVW6pVPeKFn7H_6ai8lA?
* Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

Yin & Young Episode 29 - Cinema Corner & James' Trip to Korea and Taiwan

In this episode Y&Y review: The Last Jedi, Blade Runner 2049, and Lady Bird. James shares his adventures in Seoul, South Korea and Taiwan, and has a personal revelation.

CINEMA CORNER (Warning: Spoilers Below!): Time 00:00:33-00:34:45
The Last Jedi: 
* James had 3 issues with the movie: Luke, the jokes, and the romance between Finn and Rose.
* Dan agrees with a friend that the opening joke wasn't great. Dan doesn't like the physics or inconsistencies in physics: Holdo's suicide maneuver, bombers in space, and the end scene on Crait with Rose's speeder intercepting Finn's speeder.
* James doesn't like that Rey is so natural at wielding a lightsaber.
* Canto Bight scene’s totally useless.
* Anyone can use the force.

Blade Runner 2049:
* Dan - it's very racially monochrome, no diversity in the future. Didn't bother him, but it was shot beautifully. The movie was a little long.
* James - the use of Asian items without Asians. The film hypersexualizes women. Feels there’s a plot hole with the “real memory”. Still, an enjoyable film with some beautiful moments.

* Lady Bird:
James - reminded him of "Rushmore". Lots of teen angst and intelligent humor. A little salty a Californian wasn’t cast for the lead, but not a deal breaker. Not sure what Lady Bird's motivation is.
* Daniel - thought it was overrated, but enjoyed it.

JAMES’ TRIP TO SOUTH KOREA AND TAIWAN: starts 00:34:45 to the end
* James went to Taiwan for preproduction on his short film. Did some location scouting. Also shot a mini-short film while there.
* James tried Tinder in Taiwan. Got 4x more likes in Taiwan vs. in America.
* More dating opportunities for Asian American men.
* Had a great date with a Japanese girl he met at a Taipei intersection. Focused on getting to know her emotionally.
* Seoul, Korea - Super cold weather. James doesn't speak Korean. Hung out with Teo. Met with Seng and his wife, had Korean BBQ. Had ginger chicken soup. Stayed in 3 different areas of Seoul: Hongdae (홍대/弘大), Gyeongbokgung (경복궁/景福宮), Sadang (사당/舍堂).  
* Saw a gorgeous girl at the restaurant and gave her his Kakao username. Was one of the scariest moments he ever had.
* At another restaurant, James sees an attractive girl  and asked her for directions to the palace. The girl writes detailed directions for James and lets her food get cold, despite his polite protestations. 
* Highlight of the trip: At his 3rd Airbnb, joins a party of young artists/creatives. Screens his short film "Painting Hands" and others . (films at www.jamesyshih.com)
* He talks to some girls at a bar with no success.
* James realizes the reason why he seeks women's affection.

Memorable Quotes:
Dan: All my grievances with “The Last Jedi” have to do with physics.

Teacher: With all these women, you’re posing to them a question…
James: Am I lovable?
Teacher: You have to answer that for yourself.

Language Corner:
Japanese - 今は今しかない - imawaimashikanai - There is only now, now.
Mandarin - 活在當下 - huó zài dāngxià - Live in the moment.

Yin & Young links:
* Main Website: http://www.jamesyshih.com/yin-young-podcast/
* iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/
* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvtVW6pVPeKFn7H_6ai8lA?
* Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

Yin & Young EP29 (30 sec trailer).

Yin & Young Episode 28: Actor, Writer Teo Yoo (유태오)

60 sec teaser.

Yin & Young Episode 28: Actor, Writer Teo Yoo (유태오)

Yin & Young meet with actor, writer Teo Yoo in Seoul and delve deep into his journey as an actor from Germany, to America, to the U.K. and eventually settling in Korea. Teo's path gives insight into the parent-child relationship, the artistic process, and finding one's place in the world.

* James met Teo at Sundance in 2015. 
* Teo starred in the film “Seoul Searching” directed by Benson LEE (not Kim).
* Born and raised in Germany, Teo left at age 20.
* Wasn't great at school, but excelled in the arts and athletics. Played a lot of street basketball.
* Made a deal with his parents to finish high school if he could travel for a year.
* Took classes at the Lee Strasberg school in New York and decided that acting was for him. Also studied Meisner technique.
* Maxed out his dad's credit card to pay for school over the course of two years.
* Used all his resources to buy tons of DVDs and to watch plays. Watched two films every day before he went to sleep.
* Sacrificed everything for acting: there were times he didn’t have enough money for food and or a place to sleep.
* After getting on the wait list, called the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) everyday and until he got into the program.
* Teo went back to Germany soon after London and started writing poetry.
* Father's side is from North Korea. Mother's side is from North Korea and from a southern island of South Korea.
* His father started off as a miner and his mother was a nurse in Germany.
* After the mines closed down, the Yoo family started their own deli.
* In Korea, Germany, or the U.S., doesn't feel accepted as one of their own.
* Is a citizen of the world.
* Writing is his therapy. 
* Teo’s a published children's author in Korea. Using Shakespearean rhythms,  he wrote a story about a little monster that eats socks.
* Teo plays Viktor Tsoi in an upcoming film by Kirill Serebrennikov called “Leto”. Said it was his hardest role to date.
* Did research of Korean historical figures he would like to play such as Antonio Corea the “Korean Man”.
* Wants to cultivate his acting and reserve directing for his 40s.
* Has found spiritual help in the writings of Eckhart Tolle.

—

Language Corner: Where is the toilet?
Mandarin - 廁所在哪裡? - cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ 
Taiwanese - pian-so ti toh-ui?
Korean - 화장실이 어디예요 - hwajangsil-i eodiyeyo
German - Wo ist die Toilette?
Japanese - トイレはどこですか - toire wa dokodesu ka

—

Special thank you to Sunny at Stagedoor for letting us record there. 고맙습니다 😊 (http://stagedoor.one)

–-

Teo Yoo links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teoyoo/ @teoyoo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialteoyoo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/teoyoo @teoyoo
Soundcloud: Florence Kamerad - https://soundcloud.com/fyodorkamerad The tracks “Coelln 1988” and “Hopa Minor” were used for the intro and outro respectively. Song in the 60 sec teaser is “autumn 31”.

—

Starring Teo:
Seoul Searching (on Netflix): https://www.netflix.com/title/80106230
MV Noel(노을)  - our last day (그날의 너에게): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs9Ch5KUocQ
Russian Director Serebrennikov finishes “Leto” under house arrest: http://www.calvertjournal.com/news/show/9620/russian-director-serebrennikov-finishes-viktor-tsoi-rock-film-house-arrest

—

Yin & Young links:
* Main Website: http://www.jamesyshih.com/yin-young-podcast/
* iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/yin-young-podcast-jys/id1185421015?mt=2
* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/
* YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkvtVW6pVPeKFn7H_6ai8lA?
* Stitcher - https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

Yin & Young LIVE EP01: Just a Bad Date?

Our first live podcast: "Just a Bad Date?".

We discuss with returning guests Laura and Aaron the nuances of coercion versus a "bad date". We delve into the spectrum of sexual assault and the issues with male/female communication.

Thank you all for the comments and questions!

Here's some of the articles/videos referenced in the podcast:

I went on a date with Aziz Ansari. It turned into the worst night of my life
https://babe.net/…/01/13/aziz-ansari-28…

The Humiliation of Aziz Ansari
https://www.theatlantic.com/…/t…/550541/

Aziz Ansari and the Paradox of ‘No’
https://www.theatlantic.com/…/…/550556/…

Five women accuse actor James Franco of inappropriate or sexually exploitative behavior
http://www.latimes.com/…/la-fi-ct-james…

Jenny Yang, Comic/Writer - Live stream on Aziz Ansari, #MeToo and more. 
https://www.facebook.com/jennyyang1/posts/10155988133329188

LIVE STREAM Tonight 9p-1030p PST: Just a Bad Date?

Tune in TONIGHT 9PM-1030PM Pacific Time for our first live podcast! We’ll be discussing bad dates vs coercion, sexual boundaries, and male/female (mis)communication. With special guests Laura Cox and Aaron Estrada.
-
Broadcasting LIVE on...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jyslifetimes/

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/
-
Questions or topics you’d like to discuss? Please leave a comment or message me. Thank you! =)

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Yin & Young EP26: Martial Arts, Anime, and Adult Content - Guest Aaron "Koi" Estrada

An in depth discussion with returning guest Aaron Estrada about talent/effort in the martial arts, our favorite animes, and a short talk about porn. (WARNING: EXPLICIT CONTENT & LANGUAGE)

Improvised piano intro by James.

Nature vs. Nurture. Some people are just naturally more talented in martial arts, sports, or a specific activity than others. The people who are talented and passionate will get to the 99th percentile.

You have to do things with intent.

Fighting on instinct.

Some jiu-jitsu schools don't allow students to roll until they reach their blue belt.

Discussion: Not allowing students to roll or spar from the beginning VS Allowing them to roll and spar right away.

We talk about anime we're currently watching and reminisce about Dragonball Z.

Is Totoro the angel of death? (also see "Ghibli producer kills the death angel theory").

Discussion of anime: Watching subbed versus dubbed and the depiction of Asians and Caucasians. Reference photo from the anime "Major": 

View fullsize

Photo from https://www.watchcartoononline.com/thumb/major-episode-29-english-subbed.jpg

The pursuit of perfection. We mention Jiro Dreams of Sushi as an example.

Conversation turns to fapping frequency and how porn affects us.

Briefly talk about the Vegas shooting.

Language corner:

1) Mandarin: 真的嗎? - zhen1 de ma? - Really?

2) Japanese (Kansai dialect): ホンマかいな - Honmakai na? - Really?/honestly?

3) Tagalog: Magulang

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

iTunes: https://goo.gl/VVZLhB

Yin & Young EP25 - Loved ones

Episode 25 - Loved Ones

Yin and Young are back with a heart-felt, inspirational, and incredibly depressing show for the holidays. =)

Catching up on what they’re watching:  Dan is watching a bunch of TV shows (see links below).
James watched "Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl" and spiraled him into a funk.
James remembers his last day with his friend, Reggie, who passed away from cancer.
Reggie knew when it was his time.
Dan shares the story of his uncle's passing earlier in the year.
Dan's dad tells offensive jokes.
James reflects on his paternal grandmother, grandfather and their impact on his life.
Thoughts on work, rest, and success.

Language Corner: 
Yangchow/Yangzhou dialect -  小乞丐 - xiao pisan - beggar
Taiwanese - 時間實在過了很快 - sikafn sidzai koealiao cviaa kirn - time goes by really quickly.

Related Links:
TV: I’m Sorry, Black-ish
Film: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Stories: The Universal Shapes of Stories, According to Kurt Vonnegut

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Find us!:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

iTunes: https://goo.gl/VVZLhB

Yin & Young EP24 - The King of VO: Feodor Chin

Apologies for the delay! Yin is busy with family business and Young is currently traveling.

In this episode, we're speaking with film/tv, theatre, and voice actor Feodor Chin!

Noted voice actor for Overwatch as Zenyatta.

The only time he has ever played Zenyatta was at an eSports Convention at UCSD.

"Experience Tranquility" is the sound byte that Feo likes most.

Went to high school in San Francisco and had an inkling to act.

His major was no longer offered the year he matriculated into UCLA.

Started acting in the Bay Area, most notably at a theater in the Tenderloin.

The first couple of years back in LA as an actor was mostly commercials.

Most roles don't require an accent.

James encounters a racist while getting some Mexican food.

Feo has only experienced outward racism in LA.

Has dabbled with online dating prior to meeting his current girlfriend.

Feo's tweeting has become more political since 45 has been elected.

You may have heard Feo's voice on audible.

"Big Little Lies" is Feo's pick for the best TV show this year.

Listen to get all the details!  Much appreciation to Feodor Chin for joining us.

LANGUAGE CORNER

James - Taiwanese: 眼睛 (bagciw) - eyes

Dan - Yangchow dialect: 十三點 (Shi San Dian) - 13th hour, silly

Feo - Cantonese: 咸湿佬 (Ham Sup Lo) - dirty old man, pervert

Find Feodor on:

twitter - https://twitter.com/FeoChin

instagram - https://www.instagram.com/feochin/

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1216120/

audible: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Feodor+Chin

Find us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yinyoungpodcast/

Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/yin-young-podcast

iTunes: https://goo.gl/VVZLhB

Yin & Young Episode 22 - Dates, Death, and Talent

Dan and James discuss past/future dates, car troubles, inevitable death and the nature of talent and effort. Also...

Busy periods for Chinese Restaurants - Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, New Year's, Mother's Day.

James recaps his second date with the white girl with Yellow Fever. The girl turns out to be very particular and wants to have the guy pay for everything. 

James has a better date later with an Eastern European girl; there's hope for a second date.

There are places in Koreatown where you can rent a room to watch movies.

Applying Tai-Chi push hands principles in social interactions and all facets of life.

GHOST TEXTS Segment: Assessing James' texting skill.

Dating single moms.

James' last car was trying to kill him with the smell of burned oil from the engine.

Yin and Young debate pure effort versus being gifted with natural talent to get to the 99th percentile in any given activity. They reference scientific research and anime as evidence.

LANGUAGE CORNER

Young - Taiwanese - 歹勢 - pai sei - sorry, excuse me

Yin - Japanese - すまん - suman - sorry/excuse me (more slang Japanese)

RELATED LINKS/TOPICS:

Aziz Ansari's "Modern Romance"

Josh Waitzkin's "The Art of Learning"

Tim Ferriss's Blog

Rarámuri people (Mexican tribe of ultra runners)

Yin & Young Episode 21 - Bill Poon - The Thoughtful Transporter

Dan, James and Laura meet with LA Native, DVDASA podcast guest, performer, writer, transporter...Bill Poon!

DVDASA one of the inspirations that led James to podcast.

Bill Poon was a frequent DVDASA guest.

Growing up as a son of a Chinese restaurant owner.

Dan and Bill relate to similar childhoods and hanging out in Chinatown during different eras.

Laura's immigrant experience is different due to the fact that she looks white.

We delve into Bill's dating life, both past and present.

Laura attracts men who view her as a Zooey Deschanel, manic pixie dream girl type and they lose interest when they realize she's more complicated than that.

James shares his recent online match, a white woman who clearly likes Asian men.

Dan bails on the podcast.

James questions whether certain lies are better than the truth for his future kids, i.e. the Santa Claus dilemma.

New Segment!

Ghost Texts: Laura reads James's ghost texts (i.e. when women don't respond to him).

Language Corner!

James - Taiwanese - lí chīu súi -  你就美 - you are beautiful.

Laura - English slang: 

1. y'all - a contraction of "you all", a useful gender neutral plural pronoun, 2. bitchin' - awesome

Bill - Cantonese slang - paak3to1 - 拍扡 - dating, courting

Yin & Young Episode 20 - Seng Chen - Artist, Cyclist, Tracer

Dan and James have a chat with polymath Seng Chen. Seng is an artist (photographer, musician, writer), cyclist, and a tracer (a practitioner of parkour aka freerunning).

James gets some tips on cycling and briefly touches upon his solo ride from LA to San Diego.

Seng doesn’t listen to music while cycling because he likes to “hear myself suffer”.

Perception that minorities are not welcome to some activities like the outdoors.

Seng recently went to Cuba for a week as a cameraman for an art project.

OkCupid helped Seng meet his wife.

James and Seng review “Okja” and discuss eating meat, Koreans directing white people, and exaggerated humor.

Seng’s has been involved in various aspects of filmmaking.

Music is a preferred creative outlet for Seng.

See more of his stuff at: sengchen.com/

LANGUAGE CORNER:

James: 

Korean - 똥 (dong/ttong) - poop

Mandarin - 小便 （xiao3bian4) - pee (number 1); 大便 (da4bian4) - poo (number 2)

Dan: Japanese -  糞 (くそ) - kuso - crap

Seng: Spanish

empoderar - empower

fortalecer - strengthen

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photo courtesy of Gisela Insuaste

Yin & Young Episode 18 - Breana Harris and the Pre-Raphaelites

Yin & Young are back with an interview with writer Breana Harris! We dig in to her mysterious past filled with stories of Area 51, ghosts, disturbing movies and dreams of Pre-Raphaelite artists. Special guest: Laura Cox returns! Our MVP RWG (resident white-Brazilian girl).

Highlights:
Live musical opening!
Area 51, the moon landing and going to Mars
Watching rated R movies and porn
Movie talk: Baby Driver, Wonder Woman
Favorite literary writers
The Pre-Raphaelites and Dante
Fate, ghost stories, and the supernatural
Gastric sleeve surgery

LANGUAGE CORNER - 
James - Taiwanese
吃飯 - chiah png - eat a meal, lit. eat rice.
吃飽沒？ - chiah pa bo - did you eat yet?

Dan - Japanese
頂きます - itadakimasu - about to partake
ごちそうさま - gochisousama - thank you for the meal

Laura - Portuguese - barbaridade - that’s barbaric, lit. barbarities

Breana - French - avez-vous du feu? - do you have a light? slang: did you want to hook up?

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Breana + cat. Photo courtesy of Breana Harris.

Yin & Young Episode 14 - Actor/Performer Judy Lei

Actor/Performer Judy Lei shares her tumultuous journey from growing up in East New York to Smith College and back to NYC to pursue acting.

Highlights:

- James met Judy at her one person show: The World's Greatest http://heyjudylei.com/theworldsgreatest/

- Judy is a hustling, Brooklyn girl

- Comparing Chinatowns of NYC, SF, and LA

- Smith College was a culture shock for Judy, seeing nature for the first time and learning to interact with Caucasians

- Enunciating with proper diction led to people asking her why she is portraying herself as someone else

- Her one person show dispels Asian stereotypes

- Judy had to create her own opportunities due to the dearth of what was available for Asian American women in film/TV

- Three key people helped shape her one person show

- Created her own major at Smith College

- Judy's dating preferences...

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Language Corner:

Dan - Japanese

侘び寂び - wabi-sabi - the art of imperfection

James - Taiwanese

我去玩 - goar khix chitthøo - go out and play

Judy - Cantonese

堅持 - gin1 ci4 - to persist

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