Culturally Distressed

Loic Pichot and Miyoko Sakatani

Culturally Distressed is co-hosted by Loic Pichot, a first-generation French-American gay millennial, and Miyoko Sakatani, a second-generation Japanese-American (Nisei) and straight baby boomer. Together, they dive into our culturally confusing climate with unscripted, authentic conversations that mix humor, humanity, and insight. From pride to cultural diversity, love, life, and everything in between, they share stories, and remind us that at the end of the day… we’re all a little bit culturally distressed.

Episodes

  1. 31 JAN

    Cougar Energy & CrossFit Culture

    This week on Culturally Distressed, Miyoko reflects on aging, relationships, and the creative leap of producing and directing her own solo show. From playing the Golden Gate Bridge to embracing her inner cougar, she shares how getting older has sharpened her confidence, her voice, and her sense of humor, even as ageism quietly shapes opportunities in the theater world. Loic, meanwhile, dives into improv, mindfulness, and his latest cultural shock: CrossFit. As he navigates aging, masculinity, and the pressure to stay physically and creatively engaged, the conversation widens into age gaps, dating norms, and what it really means to feel young inside. Together, they unpack aging across cultures, the myths we inherit about getting older, and why creating your own lane might be the most youthful move of all.

    44 min

  2. 16 JAN

    Sneaking Around for Boys & Performing for Girls

    This week on Culturally Distressed, Miyoko talks about growing up around family secrets, cultural withholds, and the quiet ways kids learn to sneak around when being honest doesn’t feel safe. She reflects on how culture and family expectations shape what we share, what we hide, and how we grow up reading between the lines. Loic, meanwhile, breaks down his own awkward journey, performing straightness for girls and dating women. Together, they talk about identity, secrecy, and the strange roles we learn to play before we understand who we actually are. It’s an honest, funny conversation about growing up, figuring yourself out, and laughing at the versions of ourselves that didn’t quite work.

    44 min

  3. 2 JAN

    Oshogatsu Traditions & Emily in Paris Rants

    This week on Culturally Distressed, Miyoko rings in the new year with stories of Oshogatsu, Japan’s biggest celebration, complete with mochi soup, lacquered bento boxes, and a deep dive into the family traditions that shaped her. Loic, meanwhile, revisits his own New Year memories from France before spiraling into why the French are still recovering from Emily in Paris. Between unplugged Sundays, mindful resolutions, and tales of cultural reinvention, the duo reflect on how we reset, reconnect, and sometimes relapse into our old habits, with humor and honesty. From mochi to misadventures, from Studio 54 plans to Netflix distress, it’s an episode about presence, perspective, and starting 2026 with laughter.

    37 min

  4. 19/12/2025

    Mrs. Claus & the Big American Wine Glass Conspiracy

    This week on Culturally Distressed, Miyoko trades her podcast mic for a Santa hat as she recounts her latest holiday gig as an Asian Mrs. Claus. Her festive stories lead Loic down a spiral of cultural curiosities: why are American wine glasses enormous? Between hangovers, movie debates, and reflections on representation, the duo unwrap the intersections of identity, art, and celebration, from holiday performances to queer cinema to the quiet ways we all search for belonging. From Mrs. Claus to oversized cabernets, from cultural hangovers to holiday cheer, it’s an episode about indulgence, identity, and finding laughter in the middle of December madness.

    38 min

  5. 05/12/2025

    Ukuleles & Airplane Chaos

    This week on Culturally Distressed, Miyoko shares how volunteering with her ukulele turned Thanksgiving into an act of gratitude, and leads Loic down a conversation about language, art, and legacy. From performing songs in multiple tongues to unpacking her powerful solo work on Japanese-American history, Miyoko opens up about her family’s silence around internment, the resilience of picture brides, and the challenge of feeling “Japanese enough” to tell her own story. Meanwhile, Loic brings a different kind of drama to the table, or rather, to 30,000 feet, with a “travel horror story” worthy of a disaster movie. From ukuleles to airplane chaos, from heritage to humor, it’s an episode about finding grace in the mess, and laughing through the turbulence.

    42 min

  6. 21/11/2025

    Naked Retreats & Demon Twinks from Minnesota

    From Catholic guilt to crystal healing, Loic and Miyoko open up about their personal journeys through spirituality, self-discovery, and healing. They talk breakups, rebirths, and breathwork with a detour into clothing-optional retreats, primal screams, and a chaotic run-in with demon twinks from Minnesota. A heartfelt, funny conversation about finding balance between faith and self-love, and learning to laugh at the mess along the way.

    44 min

  7. 14/11/2025

    Love Boat Romance & Bleach Blonde Era

    In this episode, Loic and Miyoko dive into the chaos of past relationships and the spiritual glow-ups that followed. Miyoko recalls boarding an ocean liner in her 20s and falling into a full-on Love Boat romance with a mysterious “James Bond” type, only to later learn what common law chaos really means. Meanwhile, Loic shares how a divorce, a move to LA, and a bleach blonde reinvention era led him to rediscover joy, spirituality, and eventually… an engagement. Also in this episode: - meeting a real gigolo in Spain - TikTok algorithms sabotaging queer joy - straight comedians and bad gay jokes Whether you’ve loved a spy, survived a breakup, or dyed your hair as a personality reset, this one’s for you.

    34 min

  8. 07/11/2025

    Empathy & Foie Gras Trauma

    The holidays are here — and so are the emotions. In this episode, Miyoko and Loic unpack the blessings and blues of the season: from Friendsgiving gratitude fails to childhood Christmas disasters (including one unforgettable bout of foie gras trauma 🦆). Miyoko opens up about discovering she’s an empath and how that shaped her relationship with celebration and family. Loic shares how living between France and the U.S. turned his holiday season into a cultural marathon, and why hearing “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in November is his personal nightmare. Together, they reflect on found family, the politics of the dinner table, and how empathy can both heal and exhaust us during “the most wonderful time of the year."

    35 min

  9. 31/10/2025

    Cheerleaders & Ghost Stories

    In this episode, hosts Miyoko Sakatani and Loic Pichot explore cultural curiosity and personal experiences, particularly around Halloween traditions. They share their unique perspectives on cultural distress, ghost stories, and the significance of accents in their lives. The conversation flows from light-hearted anecdotes to deeper reflections on cultural identity and the challenges of navigating different cultural landscapes.

    32 min

  10. 24/10/2025

    The Virgin Nurse & The Naive Gay

    In this episode of Culturally Distressed, hosts Loic Pichot and Miyoko Sakatani explore various aspects of cultural differences, personal experiences with sexuality, and the impact of upbringing on their views. They share stories about their own backgrounds, the lack of sex education in their families, and the cultural stereotypes they encounter. The conversation flows from light-hearted discussions about burlesque and personal anecdotes to deeper reflections on relationships and societal expectations.

    39 min

  11. 17/10/2025

    Carol & Loki

    In this episode of Culturally Distressed, hosts Loic Pichot and Miyoko Sakatani explore various themes surrounding cultural identity, personal relationships, and the creative process. They share personal stories, discuss the significance of names, and delve into the complexities of cultural appropriation versus appreciation. The conversation is rich with insights and reflections on their experiences as individuals navigating their cultural backgrounds and relationships.

    31 min

  12. 10/10/2025

    Japanese Bows & French Cheek Kisses

    In this engaging conversation, hosts Loic Pichot and Miyoko Sakatani explore the concept of cultural distress, sharing personal anecdotes and insights about their identities as a French-American gay millennial and a Japanese-American straight baby boomer. They discuss the impact of cultural identity on their artistic journeys, the importance of representation in the arts, and the challenges they face in navigating cultural expectations. The conversation also touches on their friendship, collaboration in creative projects, and the moments of cultural distress they experience in their lives. Through humor and vulnerability, they reflect on the complexities of identity and the importance of embracing one's unique experiences.

    34 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Culturally Distressed is co-hosted by Loic Pichot, a first-generation French-American gay millennial, and Miyoko Sakatani, a second-generation Japanese-American (Nisei) and straight baby boomer. Together, they dive into our culturally confusing climate with unscripted, authentic conversations that mix humor, humanity, and insight. From pride to cultural diversity, love, life, and everything in between, they share stories, and remind us that at the end of the day… we’re all a little bit culturally distressed.

Information

  • Creator
    Loic Pichot and Miyoko Sakatani
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit