Asian American History 101

Gen and Ted Lai
  • 4.9 (89)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Asian American History 101 is a fun, family-friendly, and informative podcast co-hosted by Gen and Ted Lai, the daughter and father team. The podcast will entertain and educate people as Gen and Ted dive into the vast history of Asian Pacific Americans from the struggles they faced to their contributions and triumphs. And sometimes we cover topics of the Asian Pacific Diaspora globally.

  1. A Conversation with Award-Winning Writer Lydia Kang, Professor, Medical Doctor, and the Author of K-Jane

    4D AGO

    A Conversation with Award-Winning Writer Lydia Kang, Professor, Medical Doctor, and the Author of K-Jane

    Welcome to Season 6, Episode 7! Our guest today is Lydia Kang, a professor, medical doctor, and acclaimed author, Her latest book is K-Jane, and it's the story of Jane Choi, a typical Nebraskan teen who loves Husker football and is a total banana. That all changes when her parents find out they're expecting a baby, and Jane goes on a mission to become an expert… or at least more knowledgeable about her Korean heritage and pop-culture. From K-pop to K-dramas, through Korean Food and Language, and pretty much K-everything, Jane immerses herself in it. Released on October 21, 2025, K-Jame was received a Starred Kirk's Review and was selected as a Kirkus Best Young Adult Book of 2025. Lydia writes young adult fiction, adult fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The practicing physician and associate professor of Internal Medicine has also gained a reputation for helping fellow writers with their medical accuracy in their writing.  Her previous work includes Opium and Absinthe, Star Wars: Cataclysm, The November Girl, and Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything (one of your favorite nonfiction books). In our conversation, Lydia shares her journey to authorship, how she writes authentic awkward teen moments, what it means to be Asian American, and so much more.  To learn more about Lydia, you can visit her website lydiakang.com, follow her instagram @lydiakang, read her poetry and essays, and of course buy any of her books. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

    42 min
  2. You Might Also Like: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    4D AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Introducing "The Mayor" (w/ Laura Dern) from Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. Follow the show: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang Um, is this thing on? Because a pink corduroy-clad Laura Dern bursts like the sun into the Las Cultch studio to speak with Matt & Bowen at length and... that's OUR world! That's the world that WE're livin' in. Dern whips out a Reese impression, discusses channeling anger better than anyone in the biz, talks creating Amy Jellicoe alongside Mike White in Enlightened, and gets into both the comedic and dramatic brutality of Big Little Lies. Also, defining wonder whilst looking up at CGI Brachiosaurii, starring as Ellen's gay love interest in The Puppy Episode of her sitcom, and even more on Jeff Goldblum's chest, if you can believe it. All this, growing up in Hollywood in a different era, reflections on the current status of the entertainment industry, going punk rock at 12 years old, David Lynch as niche yet mainstream culture, and Laura's real life interaction with a Real Housewife. See one of Laura's thousands of current projects (Is This Thing On?, Jay Kelly, Palm Royale on Apple TV+), as well as her millions of indelible ones you probably already love. I SAID THANK YOU! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. The History of The Patel Motel Phenomenon Part 2

    FEB 9

    The History of The Patel Motel Phenomenon Part 2

    Welcome to Season 6, Episode 6! We're back with Part 2 on The History of the Patel Motel Phenomenon. If you haven't listed to Part 1 which was S06E04, then we'd love it if you go back and list to that one for more context. In this episode, we continue the history, talking about what the predominantly Gujarati motel and hotel owners did when they were faced with racism from banks, insurance companies, customers, and the professional organizations that were supposed to be fighting for ALL the owners in the lodging industry.  We take time to share about the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) which the Indian American hotel owners created to help lobby on their behalf and create a more level playing. One of most impactful projects was the creation of the 12 Points of Fair Franchising, a document that recently was updated. In our recurring segment we bring you another segment of Racist or Not, where we share a phrase or saying and discuss whether it's racist… or not. Today we're talking about the phrase "It's All Chinese to Me." If you support what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com. Segments 00:25 Intro: Our Thoughts on Minnesota and ICE 05:25 The History of the Patel Motel Phenomenon, Part 2 17:40 Racist or Not: It's All Chinese to Me

    24 min
  4. A Conversation with XiXi Tian, Lawyer and Acclaimed Author of All the Way Around the Sun

    FEB 2

    A Conversation with XiXi Tian, Lawyer and Acclaimed Author of All the Way Around the Sun

    Welcome to Season 6, Episode 5! Our guest today is XiXi Tian who is both a lawyer and acclaimed author. Her latest work is the novel All the Way Around the Sun, a YA Romance that focuses on themes of belonging, identity, and overcoming trauma. In it, the main character Stella, a Chinese-American protagonist who's forced into a college roadtrip with her childhood friend turned rival. Their complicated history is made even more difficult as Stella navigates how to overcome the grief of a recent family tragedy. We love how it's a complex story with some familiar themes, and really showcases the difficulties of expectations, both internal and external, that can create familial habits and routines. And these habits can actually be a hindrance to facing and overcoming grief.   XiXi Tian was born in China and immigrated to the United States when she was a year old. After college, which included Harvard Law School, she decided to pursue her love of writing and published her first novel, This Place is Still Beautiful, a story about two Chinese-American sisters who respond to a racist attack against their home.  To learn more about XiXi, you can visit her at xixiwrites.com, follow her on Instagram @xixiwrites, and of course buy All the Way Around the Sun or This Place is Still Beautiful. Enjoy the conversation! If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

    44 min
  5. The History of The Patel Motel Phenomenon Part 1

    JAN 26

    The History of The Patel Motel Phenomenon Part 1

    Welcome to Season 6, Episode 04! When it comes to immigrant groups in the U.S., especially Asian Pacific immigrant groups, it's not unusual to see certain industries become almost synonymous with specific communities of people. We saw it with Chinese laundromats, Thai restaurants, Vietnamese nail salons, Cambodian donut shops, and more.  For Indian Americans, one of those industries was the motel business. So in this episode, we're here to share the origin and history of the Patel Motels as well as how families got into the business in the first place. We also share some of the challenges the business owners faced in the U.S. on the road to becoming dominant in the field.  We start the episode by sharing what's on our social media feeds. We close it with a new recurring segment called "Racist or Not" where we take a phrase and talk about whether it's racist… or not.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com. Segments 00:25 Social Media and Road Trip Memories 14:32 The History of the Patel Motels, Part 1 27:50 Racist or Not: White on Rice

    43 min
  6. A Conversation with V.T. Bidania, Author of A Year Without Home

    JAN 19

    A Conversation with V.T. Bidania, Author of A Year Without Home

    Welcome to Season 6, Episode 3! Our guest today is the amazing author V.T. Bidania. She is of Hmong descent and was born in Laos and grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. A prolific author with over 20 titles published already, her latest work is the very personal fictionalized memoir A Year Without Home which details her family's escape from Laos after the end of the Secret War in Laos and the Vietnam War. A Year Without Home was released on January 13, 2026 and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers. It's her debut middle grade novel and written in a unique style with lyrical verse. Told through the eyes of eleven-year-old Gao Sheng, Bidania does an amazing job of immersing the reader into the joys of what it was like to live in Laos as well as the challenges and horrors of fleeing as refugees. Her previous works are the Astrid and Apollo series and the new spin-off Extraordinary Eliana series. Both uplift Hmong culture in a joyous informative way. In our conversation, V.T. shares her journey to writing, the challenges of researching for A Year Without Home, how she decided to lay things out in the book, why the book is even more important now than ever, and a lot more. To learn more about V.T. Bidania and the Hmong culture, you can visit her website vtbidania.com, follow her on Instagram @vtbidania, and of course purchase    or any book int he Astrid and Apollo or Extraordinary Eliana series. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

    46 min
  7. The History of Ube

    JAN 12

    The History of Ube

    Welcome to Season 6, Episode 2 ! Have you been caught up in the ube craze? For many people, especially in Southeast Asia, it's not a trend, it's a beloved food staple. This is most true in the Philippines where Ube is ubiquitous with many of their sweets. So in this episode, we talk ube… What is it? How is it used? What contributed to its rise in popularity, and more.  We also take time to explain the differences between ube, Okinawan sweet potato, and taro, and we wax poetic about our ube memories. Finally, we take time to talk about some specific restaurants (like Kasama in Chicago, Illinois and San & Wolves Bakeshop in Long Beach, California) and dishes to look for if you want to try ube (we highly recommend ube macapuno ice cream, ube crinkle cookies, ube matcha lattes, and sapin-sapin.  We begin the episode with some talk about New Years resolutions, 2025 Women's world champion figure skater Alysa Liu, and ube memories. At the end of the show, we also share another segment of What Are We Watching where we talk a little about Heated Rivalry as well as YouTube matcha content creators Michelle Kanemitsu, emily wada, and ur mom ashley.   If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com. Segments 00:25 Introduction… Talking New Years Resolutions, Celebrating Alysa Liu, and Sharing Ube Memories 12:34 The History of Ube 25:57 What Are We Watching? Heated Rivalry and YouTube Videos Ube Cheez Pandesal by San & Wolves Bakeshop

    36 min
  8. A Conversation with Peter Jae, Actor, Writer, and the Star of The Workout

    JAN 5

    A Conversation with Peter Jae, Actor, Writer, and the Star of The Workout

    Welcome to Season 6, Episode 01! Happy New Year! Our guest today is Peter Jae, a multi-hyphenate performer in Hollywood. Peter Jae is an actor, stunt performer, producer, and multidisciplinary creative with over two decades of experience working across film, television, and independent projects. Born in Brooklyn and raised primarily in the Bronx—with time spent in Queens as well—Peter grew up navigating identity as a Korean American in predominantly Black and Latinx neighborhoods. Those early experiences deeply shaped his worldview and continue to inform the stories he chooses to tell and the characters he brings to life. Before entering Hollywood, Peter pursued a wide range of creative paths. He attended a performing arts high school, studied menswear design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and even launched his own urban greeting-card business. That early blend of art, entrepreneurship, and storytelling set the tone for a career defined by versatility rather than a single lane. Although his first opportunities in Hollywood were focused on stunt work and action, he has expanded into more substantial acting roles, appearing in projects such as Blackhat, Olympus Has Fallen, and numerous television productions. He is especially recognized for his work in Ktown Cowboys, an Asian American–led project that allowed him to portray a multidimensional Korean American character—something he has long advocated for in an industry that often limits Asian men to narrow stereotypes. Most recently, Peter stars in The Workout, an independent action-driven film that blends physical intensity with psychological tension. The story centers on discipline, survival, and the personal battles that unfold when routine, control, and identity collide—both inside and outside the gym. The film highlights Peter's ability to merge his background in stunts with grounded dramatic performance, reinforcing his reputation as an actor who brings authenticity and depth to physically demanding roles. You can follow Peter Jae and his latest work on Instagram at @peterjaenyla. If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or our links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com.

    57 min
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4.9
out of 5
89 Ratings

About

Asian American History 101 is a fun, family-friendly, and informative podcast co-hosted by Gen and Ted Lai, the daughter and father team. The podcast will entertain and educate people as Gen and Ted dive into the vast history of Asian Pacific Americans from the struggles they faced to their contributions and triumphs. And sometimes we cover topics of the Asian Pacific Diaspora globally.

Information

  • Creator
    Gen and Ted Lai
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    286
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Attribution Non-Commercial
  • Show Website
    Asian American History 101

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