What does it take to stay grounded in politics when you're constantly balancing humility with visibility, Queens with Capitol Hill, and faith with public duty?

In this episode, Congresswoman Grace Meng joins us for an candid reflection on her journey from a Queens childhood to becoming one of the most prominent Asian American leaders in Congress. We step away from the headline soundbites to explore the foundational stories of her life: the sacrifices her parents made that she only fully understood as an adult, the spiritual discipline required to remain humble in Washington, and how being a mom fundamentally changes the way she views leadership and bipartisanship.

It's an intimate look at the human behind the public servant—and a reflection on what keeps her fighting for her community after more than a decade in office.

In this episode, we are thrilled to be joined by the incredible Arasha, a multi-talented performer, comedian, and actor who effortlessly bridges the worlds of digital sketch comedy, screen, and live theater. Many know her as a fan-favorite cast member on Smosh, where her razor-sharp humor and quick improv skills have captured audiences worldwide.

Now, Arasha is taking center stage as one of the featured South Asian American cast members in Jaclyn Backhaus's Wives—the bold, witty, and subversive opening production of East West Players' 61st season in Los Angeles.

In this conversation, we dive into Arasha's journey navigating the LA entertainment landscape, transitioning between fast-paced digital comedy and structured theater, and what it means to step onto the historic stage at East West Players to reframe centuries of history through a hilarious, feminist lens.

This week on Asian America: TKFP, Ken sits down with hapa Japanese American writer, director, and actor Kenny Riches to talk about his award-winning feature film, Mouse.

Winner of Best Narrative Feature and the Grand Chameleon Award at the Brooklyn Film Festival, Mouse is a dark comedy and crime-noir set in early-2000s Salt Lake City. We chat about:

✨ Subverting classic crime-noir tropes

✨ The tension of self-invention & urban isolation

✨ Directing himself in a lead role

✨ Confronting costly life decisions—on screen and off

🎧 Stream Episode 618 now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows!