Send us a text

In this week's episode of What Kind of Asian Are You?, host Kyle Leung sits down with bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto to talk about her journey from Jakarta to Singapore, California, Oxford, and back again. Jesse opens up about her Chinese-Indonesian heritage, her path to becoming a prolific writer, and the ten-year grind before landing her first publishing deal. They dive into the cultural significance of her latest novel, Worth Fighting For—a modern-day Mulan retelling set in San Francisco’s finance world—created in partnership with Disney. Jesse also shares insights into Asian family dynamics, the guilt-driven productivity mindset, and her adventures in social media and screenwriting. A must-listen for aspiring writers and fans of authentic Asian representation in media.

Jesse's Bio:

Jesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Indonesia, Singapore, and Oxford, and considers all three places her home. She has a Masters from Oxford University, but she has yet to figure out how to say that without sounding obnoxious. Jesse has forty-two first cousins and thirty aunties and uncles, many of whom live just down the road. She used to game but with two little ones and a husband, she no longer has time for hobbies. She aspires to one day find one (1) hobby.

Worth Fighting For is coming out June 3rd. Check it out!

• https://books.disney.com/book/worth-fighting-for/

Follow Jesse!

Website

Instagram

Support the show

Thank you for listening!
Help this podcast:
1. Follow us on Instagram @whatkindofasianpod
2. Share our episodes with friends and family
3. Subscribe to us on your streaming platform
4. Leave us a rating and review on Spotify and Apple Podcast
5. Buy Us a Coffee! (Supporting us financially really helps but it's definitely not required, do it if you can)

All the links!
https://linktr.ee/whatkindofasianareyoupod

Send us a text

"From Ottawa roots to TikTok reels, Leanne keeps it real about the mom life"

In this episode, we dive into the world of Leanne Lee — Chinese Canadian content creator, suburban mom of two, and all-around relatable human. From her early days navigating small-town Canada as the token Asian kid to finding her voice (and community) online, Leanne shares the real, raw, and ridiculous moments that make up modern Asian mom life. We talk identity, raising third-gen kids, Cantonese culture, potty training trauma, and why being proudly in-between cultures is the most powerful place to be. Whether you're a parent, part of the diaspora, or just here for a good laugh — this one's for you.

Find Leanne!

Relatable Suburban Mom life of an Asian Canadian Xennial

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lifewithleannelee/?hl=en

Website https://www.lifewithleannelee.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaewscvX7NclBlDEzQiv5O69Ms3jSgGEGuKok1HExO033LZzdCWpPi0G3aXBiw_aem_h--SKwjcnzlO027-vFdhEg

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@lifewithleannelee

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@lifewithleannelee

Support the show

Thank you for listening!
Help this podcast:
1. Follow us on Instagram @whatkindofasianpod
2. Share our episodes with friends and family
3. Subscribe to us on your streaming platform
4. Leave us a rating and review on Spotify and Apple Podcast
5. Buy Us a Coffee! (Supporting us financially really helps but it's definitely not required, do it if you can)

All the links!
https://linktr.ee/whatkindofasianareyoupod

Send us a text

In this episode, Kyle speaks with Richard Hsung, a retired organic chemist and professor, who shares his journey of identity as a third culture individual and the process of writing his mother's memoir, 'Spring Flowers, A Tale of Two Rivers.' Richard reflects on his experiences growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution, immigrating to the United States, and navigating life in academia. The conversation delves into themes of resilience, cultural heritage, and the importance of preserving family legacies through storytelling.

About Richard:

Richard Perkins Hsung was born in China in 1966 and was one of the first teens to leave China legally after Mao’s Cultural Revolution. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Chicago and became a professor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, retiring in 2022. He spent ten years editing and completing Spring Flower (Earnshaw Books) by his mother, Jean Tren-Hwa Perkins, MD. Richard lives in Madison with his wife, where keeping squirrels from digging up his backyard has become a daily scientific obsession. Learn more at richardperkinshsung.com

About Spring Flower:

The three-volume memoir chronicles Jean Tren-Hwa Perkins, her life as an adopted child of American medical missionaries, survivor of China's brutal communist regime, being an ophthalmologist, immigrant, and mother.

Learn more at richardperkinshsung.com

Check out Spring Flower (Earnshaw Books)

Support the show

Thank you for listening!
Help this podcast:
1. Follow us on Instagram @whatkindofasianpod
2. Share our episodes with friends and family
3. Subscribe to us on your streaming platform
4. Leave us a rating and review on Spotify and Apple Podcast
5. Buy Us a Coffee! (Supporting us financially really helps but it's definitely not required, do it if you can)

All the links!
https://linktr.ee/whatkindofasianareyoupod