The mental health conversation has opened up so much more in recent years & we are here for it. Still, the process of opening up about our innermost struggles whether with a trusted friend in private, or say, on a podcast, can be a daunting task. When it comes to being honest about inner demons & bouts of hopelessness, sometimes the biggest challenge can be being real with ourselves first & foremost. In this episode, Minji sits down with her friend & fellow actor Edward Hong. He opens up about his journey country (and culture)-hopping around the globe from a young age. With a number of unique challenges being othered & bullied on a daily basis, to a very difficult relationship with his father, Edward shares his process of dealing with anger & mental exhaustion through different coping mechanisms including arts, friends, & even school faculty who helped channel & address larger issues. Together they also discuss pop culture takes on violence, revenge & survival. 

Disclaimer: this episode deals with heavy themes & potentially triggering topics. Please be mindful of this & take care of yourself. These personal stories that are meant to connect & help provide hope for those who are struggling. 

This week's guest:

• Edward Hong (@CinnabonMonster)

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• Twitter (@minjeeeezy)
• Instagram (@minjeezy)

Our theme song is "Yellow Ranger" by Awkwafina, this episode also features the song "Uzutrap" from our guest Uzuhan

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This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

Produced and edited by @marvinyueh

Mentioned in this episode:

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"Inheriting" is a show about Asian American and Pacific Islander families, which explores how one event in history can ripple through generations. In doing so, the show seeks to break apart the AAPI monolith and tell a fuller story of these communities. In each episode, NPR’s Emily Kwong sits down with one family and facilitates deeply emotional conversations between their loved ones, exploring how their most personal, private moments are an integral part of history. Through these stories, we show how the past is personal and how to live with the legacies we’re constantly inheriting. New episodes premiere every Thursday. Subscribe to “Inheriting” on your app of choice

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