Banana Lab

Romy Lee, Alex Kim

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Society & Culture

🎙️ Banana Lab is where Kiwi-Asians unpack identity, mental health, and life’s weird in-betweens. Hosted by Romy Lee, a mental health professional & advocate, this podcast blends real talk, humor, and deep convos with guests who have lived it. 🍌 🔊 Listen for unfiltered stories, cultural struggles, and conversations that hit home.

6h ago

Ep.18 — David Fu: Following Curiosity, Not Expectations

Photographer David Fu joins Banana Lab to share a life that rarely went according to plan. Growing up in Kaitaia as the only Asian kid, David watched his parents build a takeaway business from almost nothing before carving out his own unconventional career. From music school and culinary training to teaching in America and eventually becoming a self-taught photographer, every chapter of his journey was driven by curiosity rather than certainty. We also discuss creative careers, Asian family expectations, freelancing, entrepreneurship, and what it really means to stay busy for the right reasons.
Jul 20

Ep.17 — Diana Winter: Resilience, Creativity and Curiosity

Growing up in China, Diana Winter's childhood was shaped by fear, instability and responsibility beyond her years. After her parents divorced, she learned to become independent early, before eventually leaving home to study abroad—first in Russia, then in New Zealand. In this episode, Diana reflects on her journey as an immigrant, the challenges of building a new life, and how difficult experiences shaped her resilience rather than defining her. We also explore her career in the creative industry, her perspective on AI and authenticity, why curiosity has become one of her greatest strengths, and how music and exercise helped her navigate one of the most difficult periods of her life. More than anything, this is a conversation about perspective. Looking back, Diana no longer sees hardship as something to escape, but as something that shaped who she is today. If you've ever questioned where you belong, wondered how people rebuild after adversity, or found yourself chasing the next milestone, this episode is a thoughtful reminder that perhaps life isn't about the pursuit of happiness—it's about the happiness of pursuing. 🍌
Jul 6

Ep.16 — Youjin Choi: Growing Up, Moving Abroad and Finding Contentment

Youjin Choi joins us on Banana Lab to share her journey from moving to New Zealand from Korea at the age of nine to building a career in hospitality marketing, leaving home for a working holiday in Germany, and eventually returning with a different perspective on family, identity and what it means to be content. Youjin reflects on arriving in New Zealand without speaking English, learning the language through cartoons and friendships, and growing up as the eldest daughter in an immigrant family. She shares the responsibility she felt translating for her parents and becoming the “fixer” in her family, as well as the resentment she experienced growing up and how living abroad later helped her better understand the challenges her parents had faced as immigrants. We also talk about Youjin’s career in experiential marketing, her relationship with photography, discovering running, and why she decided to move to Germany before turning 30. She shares stories from working in a café, learning German, travelling around Europe, navigating cultural differences, and transporting a rescue dog from Greece to Germany. The conversation also explores the complicated experience of growing up between cultures. Youjin reflects on not always feeling Korean enough to fit into Korean communities, standing out when visiting Korea, navigating questions around relationships and family expectations, and learning to stay curious without changing herself simply to fit in. Ultimately, Youjin’s year abroad challenged the idea that moving somewhere else will automatically create a better life. She reflects on comparison, gratitude, faith, perspective, and learning to find joy by being content with what she has. Topics include: Growing up Korean in New ZealandBeing the eldest child in an immigrant familyTranslating for parents and family responsibilityExperiential marketing and photographyMoving to Germany on a working holidayLearning German and working abroadTravel and cultural differencesKorean Kiwi identity and belongingFamily expectations and relationshipsFaith, gratitude and finding contentmentReturning home and adjusting to ordinary lifeA warm, reflective and funny conversation about immigration, family, identity, adventure, and learning that sometimes the biggest change isn’t where you live, but how you see the life you already have.
Jun 22

Ep.15 — Jin Kim: Pharmacy, YouTube and Finding Balance

Jin Kim joins us on Banana Lab to share his journey from moving to New Zealand as a child to becoming a pharmacist, content creator and traveller. We talk about growing up Korean in New Zealand, arriving without speaking English, boarding school life, and how a conversation with a maths tutor led him into pharmacy. Jin also reflects on discovering YouTube during COVID, documenting life through vlogs, and why he decided to spend 14 months living in Korea to experience both the good and the bad sides of a country he still considers home. Along the way, we dive into solo travel across Asia and Europe, life in Seoul, cultural differences between Korea and New Zealand, and how the experience changed the way he approaches life. Topics include: • Growing up Korean in New Zealand • Community pharmacy and healthcare • Content creation and YouTube • Living in Korea for 14 months • Solo travel and bucket-list destinations • Identity and belonging between two countries • Korea vs New Zealand lifestyle and culture A warm and funny conversation about career, creativity, travel and what it means to feel connected to more than one place.
Jun 8

Ep.14 — Ashley Bautista: Growing Up Filipino in New Zealand

Ashley joins us on Banana Lab to share her experience growing up Filipino in New Zealand and finding her own identity between cultures. Born in the Philippines and raised in Hamilton, Ashley reflects on moving to Auckland for university, transitioning into full-time work, and navigating the pressures of hustle culture and adulthood. We talk about reconnecting with her Filipino roots, the challenges of balancing cultures, and how her family’s sacrifices and work ethic have shaped the way she approaches life today. The conversation also touches on community, faith, food, favourite spots around Auckland, and the importance of slowing down, resting well, and learning to embrace who you are. Warm, thoughtful, and full of relatable young adult moments, this episode is a conversation about identity, growth, belonging, and what it means to feel at home in yourself. Topics include: • Growing up Filipino in New Zealand • Hamilton vs Auckland life • Transitioning from university into the workforce • Hustle culture and work-life balance • Faith, family and community • Reconnecting with Filipino identity • Food, culture and finding belonging
May 25

Ep.13 — Inna Goodwin: Identity, Travel and Building a Life in New Zealand

In this episode of Banana Lab, we’re joined by Inna Goodwin. Inna shares her journey from the Philippines to New Zealand, reflecting on immigration challenges, identity, career pivots and finding belonging. We also discuss life as a Filipino woman in construction, queer identity, travel, and the realities of building a life in a new country. A warm and honest conversation about resilience, community and home.
May 11

Ep.12 — Alwin Tan: Running, Creativity and Life Between Malaysia & NZ

In this episode of Banana Lab, we are joined by Alwyn Tan — a photographer, videographer, drone pilot, and marathon runner based in Auckland. Alwyn reflects on growing up between Malaysia and New Zealand, adapting between cultures, and how New Zealand eventually became home. We also talk about the creative industry, commercial photography, marathon training, and the differences in work-life culture between Malaysia and New Zealand. A relaxed and thoughtful conversation about creativity, identity, and balance.
Apr 27

Ep.11 — Sophie Kim: Hospitality, Burnout and Career Change

In this episode of Banana Lab, we are joined by Sophie Kim. Sophie shares her experience working in hospitality for over a decade, and the decision to transition into a career in marketing. We discuss burnout, work-life balance, and the challenges of prioritising yourself. Sophie also reflects on her move from Korea to New Zealand, learning English through lived experience, and adapting to a new environment. A thoughtful conversation about career change, identity, and building a new path.

🎙️ Banana Lab is where Kiwi-Asians unpack identity, mental health, and life’s weird in-betweens. Hosted by Romy Lee, a mental health professional & advocate, this podcast blends real talk, humor, and deep convos with guests who have lived it. 🍌 🔊 Listen for unfiltered stories, cultural struggles, and conversations that hit home.

Creator

Romy Lee, Alex Kim
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

18
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Content Box

Business

Business

Updated Semiweekly