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One in a Billion

One in a Billion is a podcast about Asian values, culture and society – one person at a time. We interview Asian writers, producers, entrepreneurs and entertainers about what they do, and what drives their choices and decisions. Hosted by Mable Chan (former ABC News producer), “One in a Billion” gives the stage to the young and the bold with a voice and a view that is rarely heard. Learn more at https://www.oneinabillionvoices.org/
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Now displaying: 2019
Dec 17, 2019

She never ceases to amaze me.

Sanyee Yuan - a 20 something writer, actor, host, and Harvard graduate - is always chasing the next big opportunity by connecting with people who inspire her creative thought that would turn into a story or a script!

I first interviewed Sanyee in 2012 when she spoke movingly about being raised by a single mom with two jobs, two kids - her and her older sister. Both girls love television and movies.

Since moving to L.A., Sanyee has written numerous blogs about her adventure in Hollywood by focusing on how she overcomes fear and setbacks.

In this episode - the last of Season 4 - Sanyee let us in her latest projects and what keeps her thriving.

Check this out - “This Asian American Life: Cutting My Own Path in Hollywood.”

Music Used:
One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy
Golden Sunrise by Josh Woodward
Landras Dream by Jason Shaw

We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time. Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below: PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud

Dec 3, 2019

What drives you crazy? 

How about being called just that - crazy.

If you are struggling with a mental disorder, you might lash out or turn inward. And when you do, that word “crazy” could feel like a weapon that cuts through your skin. 

In this episode “This Asian American Life: Don’t Call Me Crazy” - New York based writer/editor/illustrator Hannah Bae reads a chapter she’s contributed to a new book “Don’t Call Me Crazy”  that depicts her personal struggle dealing with her mother. 

Her experience is one of thirty three dynamic and intimate voices in this fascinating book about mental health and a guide with helpful resources. 

Music used:
One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy
Bathed in Fine Dust by Andy G. Cohen
Highride by Blue Dot Sessions
The Gloaming by Josh Woodward
Which That is This by Doctor Turtle
Undercover Vampire Policeman by Chris Zabriskie

We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time. Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below: PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud

Nov 19, 2019

What’s wrong with bribing your 3-year-old with a gold star? Or, if you’re in China, it’s a red star.

Chinese American journalist Lenora Chu was a new mother when she first moved to Shanghai with her husband, she quickly discovered the authoritarian style of Chinese schooling clashed with her American upbringing in Texas.  How? What did she do?

Well, she wrote a book called “Little Soldiers” describing how children are educated and what the education system is designed to accomplish.

Check out my interview with Lenora Chu in this episode - “This Chinese American Life- What’s an education for?”

Music used:
One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy
Interplanetary Forest by Meydn
The Place I Called Home by Julie Maxwell
You're Right But I'm Me by Doctor Turtle
Meeting the Demon by MMFFF
Little Idea by Scott Holmes
Stage 1 Level 24 by Monplaisir
Estampe Galactus Barbere Epaul Giraffe Ennui by Monplaisir

We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time. Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below: PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud



 

 

 

Nov 5, 2019

Have you ever been tempted to trace your roots?

What might pique your curiosity if your mother refused to talk about her parents? 

For Scott Tong, he decided to find his home village precisely because no one seemed to remember his grandparents. What happened to them? 

Why did they stay in China when his mother fled to America? 

Check out my conversation with American Public Media’s “Marketplace” correspondent - Scott Tong - in this episode “This Chinese American Life: Tracing My Roots” 

Music used:
One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy
Upbeat Party by Scott Holmes
Storybook by Scott Holmes
Banish by Slinte
Trophy Endorphins by Andy G. Cohen
Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions
Recall by Blue Dot Sessions
Love Wins by Lee Rosevere


We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time. Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below: PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud

 

Oct 22, 2019

What if your father called you after you two hadn’t talked for a year?

What if you were looking for a better relationship with him, and you were finding you were running out of time? 

In Part 2 of my interview with Mimi Wong, a New York-based writer and multimedia producer, she shared her reflections on those last few conversations with her father,  and her inner journey of reconciliation.

Music used:
One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy
When I Dream by Joseph Blanchard 
Redwood Majesty by Joseph Blanchard
Eternal Embrace by Joseph Blanchard

We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time.Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below: PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud

Oct 8, 2019

When was the last time you had a talk, or a fight with your father? 

What might trigger your urge to call him, or to reflect on what’s been missing in your relationship?

In Part 1 of my interview with Mimi Wong, a New York based writer and multimedia producer shared her story, first published in  “How Watching Asian Father on Screen Helped me Face My Own.” 

The movie “Searching.” prompted her to dive into deep personal thoughts about her father, Asian fatherhood and media portrayal of Asian masculinity. 

Music used:
One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy
Hlice by Monplasir
Inspirational Outlook by Scott Holmes
Little Tomcat by Josh Woodward

We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time.Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below: PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud

 

 

Sep 24, 2019

Why would you give up all that you’ve studied or worked so hard for once you hit a certain life stage and decided to pursue what really makes you happy?

In Part 2 of my interview with Chinese American documentary filmmaker Hao Wu, he talked about giving up the traditional notion of success. Making money. Making parents proud.

Instead, he chose to listen to his heart. 

This is a story about pursuing what’s deeply fulfilling for you. 

Music used:
One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy
Which That Is This by Doctor Turtle
Xi by Andy G. Cohen
Descent of the Goober Monster by Jesse Spillane

We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time.

Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below: PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud

Sep 10, 2019

What will you find if you bank on the Internet to fulfill your desire?

How much money will you spend to make your dream come true in this digital universe?

In this 2-part interview with Chinese American documentary filmmaker Hao Wu, he talked about “The People’s Republic of Desire” - a film about live-streaming in China. 

It’s a story about the human longing for fame and fortune, as well as love and connection.

Music Used:
One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy
I Will Not Let You Let Me Down by Josh Woodward
You Um Ill Ah by Doctor Turtle
Space Full by Andy G Cohen

We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time.

Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below: PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud

Aug 27, 2019

If you’re a 20 something Asian woman trying to establish yourself as a writer in Tech, listen up.
You can speak up, share your thoughts and yet, nobody hears you.
You’re ignored.

That’s Eda Yu’s story.

In “Don’t Talk Over Me” Eda talks with Lauren Dai, another Asian woman working in Silicon Valley about tough challenges in a room full of white men. Who helped her? How did she get over barriers?

Also, how did she first discover her passion for writing?

Who persuaded her to pursue it through college?

And what is holding Lauren back from writing? What are her fears?

Music Used:
One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy
The Wrong Way by Jahzzar
Tumbling Dishes Like Old Man's Wishes by Jahzzar
Crazy Glue by Josh Woodward
Gemini by Josh Woodward
Sands of Windhoek by Mid-Air Machine
Need by Les Hayden
Death by a Thousand Questions by Springtide
So Far So Close by Jahzzar

We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time.

Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below: 

PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud

Aug 20, 2019

If you have spent a good chunk of your life studying and working like a robot, how would you know to wake up one day, and say “I am not a robot!” That’s Kou Aizhe’s story.

A former librarian and TV journalist, he was inspired by "This American Life" podcast to create his own show “Gushi FM.” The idea is to give voice to real people with real-life experiences and struggles. It’s now one of the most popular podcasts in China since it was launched in 2017, reaching 600,000 listeners and counting.

“Leaving a robotic life to create my own show” is about his thinking at various turning points and crossroads.

This interview will be in Mandarin Chinese.

View Chinese (中文) and English Transcript Click here:

Music credits (sourced from freemusicarchive.org):
Tech Toys by Lee Rosevere
What’s Behind the Door by Lee Rosevere
Sad Marimba Planet by Lee Rosevere
Wilsons Snipe by Chad Crouch
You’re Enough by Lee Rosevere
Wonder Under by Glad Rags

We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time.

Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below: 

PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud

Aug 6, 2019

Part 3 of a Special Summer Series from Shanghai: In Context with Anita Xu: “How can this be...the rest of my life!?”

If you’d invested almost your entire adult life training to be a professional landscape designer, you’d landed at your dream job. But a few years later, you looked around your workplace and you discovered something that would forever change your idea of what is a good life or what is a good career.

What would you do?

That’s what happened to Lu Xiaoya (卢小雅) 3 years ago, when she was 27 years old.

In this Episode 3 “How can this be... the rest of my life !?” Anita talks with Lu about that life-changing moment, and what she did next.

Lu will tell her story in Mandarin Chinese.

View Chinese (中文) and English Transcript Click here.

Music credits (sourced from freemusicarchive.org):
Whats Behind the Door by Lee Rosevere
Curiousity by Lee Rosevere
Sad Marimba Planet by Lee Rosevere
As I Was Saying by Lee Rosevere
I Was Waiting for Him by Lee Rosevere
Curiousity by Lee Rosevere
Wonder Under by Glad Rags

We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time.

Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below:

PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud

Jul 23, 2019

Part 2 of A Special Summer Series from Shanghai: In Context with Anita Xu.

Can you imagine your life’s mission is to meet the expectations of your parents?

Ever since she was a little girl, Carol pushed herself, moving to a big city from a small town, working her way up and up to satisfy her parents. Now, at age 33, Carol’s lost. Her parents have changed their minds. They ask her to slow down, but it’s too late! Why? Take a listen.

In this Episode 2 “Why Work So Hard?,” our contributing podcaster Anita Xu talks with a close friend Carol Luo about her dilemma.

This interview will be in Mandarin Chinese.

View Chinese (中文) and English Transcript Click here.

Music credits (sourced from freemusicarchive.org & purple-planet.com):
Snipe by Chad Crouch’s Wilson
Fearless by Purple Planet Music
Yorgan by Circus Marcus
Easy Life by Lee Rosevere
Quizitive by Lee Rosevere
Wonder Under by Glad Rags

We want to include you in this conversation.

To send us your comments or stories, just go to our Facebook page or our website at OneinABillionVoices.org under “Pitch a Story.”

Share your thoughts? Pitch me a story?

“One in a Billion” is listening to #China, one person at a time.

Subscribe to “One in a Billion” below:

PRx | iTunes | SoundCloud

 

Jul 9, 2019

Season 4 kicks off with a Summer Special Series from Shanghai: In Context with Anita Xu- "Why Risk It?”

It’s an intimate conversation between digital marketing professional Anita Xu and her college buddy Xu He. Xu He chose to become an entrepreneur after feeling unfulfilled in his first few jobs after graduating from a top journalism university in Shanghai.
Anita, our contributing podcaster, is puzzled. She saw him as a rising star in the journalism world, and she wonders -why risk it?

This interview will be in Mandarin Chinese. You can read an English transcript or check out our website at www.oneinabillionvoices.org.

 

Music used:
One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy
Quizitive by Lee Rosevere
Tech Toys by Lee Rosevere
Whats Behind the Door by Lee Rosevere
Theme from Penguins on Parade by Lee Rosevere
And So Then by Lee Rosevere 
Wonder Under by Glad Rags

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