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!

In Episode 615, host Ken Fong sits down with Japanese American activist, scholar, and author Dr. Scott Kurashige to discuss his latest book, American Peril: The Violent History of Anti-Asian Racism (University of California Press). Drawing from 36 years of academic study, grassroots organizing, and his own family's history with wartime incarceration, Scott unpacks the sweeping history of anti-Asian violence in America and offers crucial insights for the movement for justice today.

In this episode host Ken Fong sits down with investigative reporter Paige Towers. Paige is the author of What They Stole, a compelling work exposing the dark underbelly, systemic corruption, and falsified records behind the historic wave of Korean adoptions in America. Together, they explore her investigative process, the human impact on separated families seeking answers, and what true accountability looks like.

Ken also shares personal reflections on his family tree, honoring ancestral resting places, and the fundamental human need to understand one's origin story.

In Season 12, Episode 610, Ken Fong sits down with Steven Wakabayashi, founder of Stranger Creative, for a candid exploration of technology, culture, and personal identity. They tackle the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on human creativity, while also diving into Steven's personal journey of staying closeted for years out of deference to his mother. It's an insightful, deeply vulnerable conversation on balancing cultural expectations with living authentically.

Texas House Democratic Leader Gene Wu joins me this week on the podcast to lay out what's at stake for democracy, the Constitution, and state governance in Texas. Representing Southwest Houston (District 137), Rep. Wu breaks down why local legislative races matter nationally, how AANHPI and Chinese American voters can tip the scales, and why protecting democratic institutions starts at the ballot box.

In Episode 612 of The Two Kens, Ken and Ken sit down to mark a solemn and significant milestone: 25 years since September 11, 2001. Together, they look back at how that day reshaped foreign policy, domestic security, daily American life, and cultural memory—reflecting on the long-term impact that continues to ripple through our world a quarter-century later.

Key Topics & Highlights

• Looking Back at 2001: Initial reactions, personal memories, and the immediate aftermath of 9/11.

• Faith Under Siege—Fear in the American Church: How post-9/11 fear shifted the American Christian Church, sparking a rise in Christian nationalism, "us vs. them" theology, and institutional anxiety over national identity.

• The Policy Ripple Effect: How foreign relations, national security, and civil liberties shifted over the last 25 years.

• Cultural Memory & Legacy: How a single morning shaped an entire generation's worldview and continues to influence public discourse.

• Moving Forward: Finding perspective, resilience, and understanding in the quarter-century legacy of 9/11.

Notable Quotes

"Twenty-five years later, we aren't just remembering a single day—we're looking at the entire quarter-century built in its shadow, including how our institutions of faith allowed fear to dictate the narrative."