Asian Pacific Voices Radio

In this powerful episode of Asian Pacific Voices Radio, Emmy-winning actress and SAG-AFTRA leader In this compelling episode of Asian Pacific Voices Radio, Emmy-winning actress and union leader Jodi Long joins host Rasha Goel for an inspiring conversation about her lifelong mission to amplify underrepresented voices on stage, screen, and beyond. Jodi opens up about her groundbreaking career as an Asian American actress, the lessons she learned from her vaudevillian parents, and the resilience it took to navigate an industry riddled with bias. As a former Los Angeles Local President of SAG-AFTRA, she shares candid insights about fighting for equity, ageism protections, AI safeguards, and performers’ rights. Now running as an independent candidate for National President of SAG-AFTRA, Jodi reflects on what it means to lead with integrity and why empowering every performer to own their unique story is at the heart of great acting—and lasting change.

Iva Chen is a dynamic entrepreneur, CPA, and community advocate whose career spans finance, hospitality, and small business empowerment. A UC Santa Barbara graduate, she began at Deloitte before holding leadership roles at Nestlé USA, CBS Paramount, and The Capital Group. Currently CEO of IOC Design & Consulting and Chief Development Officer of Lady Luck Gourmet, she develops and operates airport restaurants and retail concessions, bringing local and minority-owned brands into major airports. Her entrepreneurial ventures have ranged from matchmaking to launching a pizza chain in China, showcasing her creativity and adaptability. Iva also serves as VP of Public Relations for the Los Angeles Chapter of AMAC, co-founded the Association of Asians in Aviation, and was named “Mentor of the Year” by UCLA’s Riordan Programs. She sits on advisory boards, supports inclusive economic development, and is passionate about equity, mentorship, and leadership development. Outside of work, she is an Army ROTC Bootcamp graduate, two-time triathlete, wife, mom of two, foodie, and lifelong learner, recently earning her WSET Level 1 certification in Wines.

Kaila Yu is a luxury travel and culture writer and on-camera correspondent based in Los Angeles, with bylines in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, and more. Her debut memoir, Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty, will be published on August 19, 2025, by Penguin Random House’s Crown Publishing.

Yunte Huang, Distinguished Professor of English at UC Santa Barbara and 2014–15 Guggenheim Fellow, is the award-winning author of Charlie Chan, Inseparable, and Daughter of the Dragon. His works, acclaimed by The New York Times, NPR, and others, explore history, identity, and cross-cultural narratives.

Kainalu Moya is an Asian American actor hailing from Kaneohe, Oahu. Kainalu, also known as “Kai”, is best known for his roles on Power Rangers Dino/Cosmic Fury and the Villains of Valley View. He is a competitive Taekwondo fighter and frequently competes at Taekwondo tournaments across the nation. Kainalu just won gold at the 2025 USA Taekwondo National Championships in the red belt division, 68kg. He aims to pursue more acting roles in the action realm, showcasing his real-life Taekwondo experience.

Ranella Ferrer is a dynamic Filipino-American singer, songwriter, and media personality renowned for her powerful vocals and inspiring personal journey. Hailing from the Philippines, she began performing at the age of 3 and moved to the U.S. at 13 to pursue her musical dreams. Nicknamed the “Asian Queen of Soul,” Ferrer has opened for artists such as Stevie Wonder, Keyshia Cole, Tyrese, B2K, and Ne-Yo. Her career includes Grammy-produced tracks, pop singles, and performances at major venues such as the Viper Room and House of Blues. She has also sung the U.S. National Anthem for NBA teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Rams, Chargers and Clippers, La Kings, etc. Ferrer gained national attention on E!’s Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian, where her transformation became a standout success story, reigniting her music career and inspiring others . She was named one of the “75 Most Influential Filipino Americans” in 2020 .

Drea Castro is a Filipino-American actress, filmmaker, and producer making waves in the film and television industry. Her award-winning short Old Man Jackson, Gold Telly recognition, and Emmy-considered role in The Rehearsal showcase her talent. With a new yoga and meditation series on the horizon, Drea continues to craft impactful, socially conscious stories that uplift and inspire.

Dichen Lachman is a Tibetan-Nepalese Australian actress known for her captivating presence and dynamic range across film and television. She stars as “Gemma” and “Ms. Casey” in Apple TV+’s acclaimed series Severance, earning praise from Esquire and Rolling Stone for her standout performance. Lachman first gained recognition in Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse and went on to star in Altered Carbon, Animal Kingdom, and Jurassic World: Dominion. Her film and TV credits also include Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Supergirl, The 100, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Born in Kathmandu and raised in Australia, she now lives in London with her family.

Minori Ito is a Japanese Sri Lankan model, Columbia University graduate, and future Harvard student, celebrated for breaking barriers in the fashion industry while advocating for diversity and inclusion. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Massachusetts, she blends her multicultural heritage into her personal style and professional work. Beyond modeling for global brands, Minori is passionate about education and social impact, aiming to inspire young women to embrace their identities and pursue their dreams.

Charles Yu is the author of four books, including the New York Times bestselling novel Interior Chinatown, which won the National Book Award for Fiction, and is now a limited series streaming on Hulu and Disney+ (for which he served as creator and showrunner). He has also written for shows on FX, AMC, and HBO, and is developing feature film projects with Searchlight Pictures and Paramount Pictures. His fiction and non-fiction have appeared in a number of publications including The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Wired and Harper’s.

Christopher HK Lee is an award-winning film director and content producer with over 35 years of experience in media, animation, and education. His acclaimed documentaries, including "The Last Tear" and "Forgotten Victory," have earned over 60 awards and been screened at top festivals, including the Oscars and Cannes. A former professor at institutions like Harvard and USC, Christopher is also a published author and founder of the Jackson Doc Fest. He continues to direct impactful films that bridge cultures and inspire change.

Panney Wei is an award-winning motivational speaker, certified clinical hypnotherapist, and the Chief Empowerment Officer of See the Way Consulting. With a rich heritage linked to Qing dynasty General Tso Tsung-tang, Panney inspires individuals, especially women, to unleash their potential and achieve lasting transformation through hypnotherapy, coaching, keynotes, and workshops. An activist at the intersection of arts, entertainment, and politics, Panney has held numerous leadership roles, including National Senior Advisor for the National Association of Asian American Professionals and founder of the Women in NAAAP program, recognized by Forbes Women. She serves on the boards of several organizations, including AREAA Greater LA and the Asian Youth Center. She has received multiple accolades, such as the American Courage Award from Asian Americans Advancing Justice and recognition as a Top 40 Global Emerging Leader. In addition to her advocacy, Panney is an investor and restaurateur, partnering with notable brands like Momofuku Global Restaurant Group and Michelin-starred Niku X. She hosts the podcast “See the Way with Panney Wei,” sharing life lessons and success principles with renowned thought leaders."

Vera Chow is a Hong Kong-raised, NYC/LA-based Film and TV Costume Designer best known for her work on AMC’s The Walking Dead and Netflix’s The Brothers Sun, starring Michelle Yeoh. With nearly 20 years of global experience, her dynamic portfolio spans period dramas, sci-fi, arthouse, and large-scale epics, including recent critically acclaimed projects Lucky Lu (Cannes) and RoseMead (Tribeca). She is currently filming The Season in Hong Kong with SK Global (Crazy Rich Asians). A survivor of bullying, Vera found solace in movies and art from a young age, fueling her lifelong passion for storytelling through design. She holds degrees from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Parsons School of Design, and Istituto Europeo di Design in Barcelona. Known for her fearless creativity—mixing thrifted finds with couture—Vera is also a proud advocate for AAPI representation in media.

Anthony Basco is the founder of Boss Coast LLC, a bold brand born from resilience, redemption, and a powerful personal journey. After serving nearly a decade in prison, Anthony transformed a simple recipe into a mission-driven business that now reaches shelves across North America. Through his work as a speaker and mentor, he uses his story to inspire second chances and steer young people away from the path he once took.

Dr. Jeffrey Soo Kim is an accomplished educator with over 23 years of experience in schools, having served as an instructional coach, administrator, civic lead, teacher educator, and curriculum author. He created the first high school Korean American Studies course for Anaheim Union High School District and currently teaches future education leaders as an adjunct professor at CSU Fullerton and Vanguard University. A National Board Certified Teacher, Dr. Kim earned his doctorate from USC while working full-time in education. His civic and educational contributions have earned him several honors, including the 2022 Roy Erickson Civic Education Leadership Award, the 2023 Outstanding Ethnic Studies Community Partner Award, and recognition on the City of Irvine Wall of Recognition in 2024. He is a board member of the Irvine Unified School District and founder of the EdFamily YouTube Channel, which empowers students to discover their strengths and use them for good. He and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Kim of Saddleback Church, have five third-generation Korean American children.

Susan Zhang is a pianist, educator, and entrepreneur known for her dynamic performances and innovative outreach. A prizewinning soloist, she has performed internationally and co-founded The Concert Truck, a mobile music venue bringing classical concerts to outdoor spaces nationwide. Susan has collaborated with major institutions like the Kennedy Center and Aspen Music Festival, and created a children’s series reaching over 55,000 students. She serves on the YoungArts Classical Music Panel, has taught at Peabody Conservatory, and mentors young artists across the country.

Jen Soriano is a Filipinx-American writer, performer, and narrative strategist whose work bridges grassroots organizing and art-driven social change. They are the award-winning author of Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing and co-editor of Closer to Liberation: A Pina/xy Activist Anthology. A recipient of fellowships from Artist Trust, Hugo House, and others, Jen is also a co-founder of MediaJustice and ReFrame.

Radhika Vekaria is a Grammy-nominated British-Indian artist known for blending ancient Sanskrit mantras with modern soundscapes to create spiritually immersive music. Having overcome a childhood speech impediment through singing, she now uses her voice as a tool for healing and transformation. Her acclaimed album Warriors of Light earned her a 2025 Grammy nomination, and she has collaborated with global artists, including Prince and Deepak Chopra. Rooted in Vedic traditions, Radhika’s music bridges cultures, languages, and generations.

Nicole Cabell is an award-winning American soprano known for her rich voice and versatile artistry. Born in California with African American, Korean, and Caucasian heritage, she rose to international fame after winning the 2005 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. She has performed leading roles at top opera houses like the Royal Opera House and the Metropolitan Opera. Her acclaimed recordings include the solo album Soprano and performances in La Bohème and Imelda de’ Lambertazzi. Cabell also serves as an Associate Professor of Voice at the Eastman School of Music, where she mentors young singers.

Celebrity Chef Katie Chin is an award-winning cookbook author, caterer, and Culinary Ambassador to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The daughter of restaurateur Leeann Chin, Katie grew up in the kitchen before beginning a successful career in film and television marketing—eventually returning to her culinary roots. She co-hosted the PBS series Double Happiness with her mother and has authored five cookbooks, including Everyday Thai Cooking and Katie Chin’s Global Family Cookbook. Her work has been featured in Forbes, O Magazine, Bon Appétit, and The Wall Street Journal. Katie has appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Today, Live with Kelly & Mark, and as a chef or judge on Chopped, Cutthroat Kitchen, Beat Bobby Flay, and Iron Chef America. In 2013, she was a featured chef at the White House Easter Egg Roll under the Obama administration.