Fitness Coach and Anime Bodybuilder Larry Gao #042

Fitness Coach and Anime Bodybuilder Larry Gao #042

Despite his striking resemblance to Vegeta, Larry Gao is not a Saiyan; he's a mere mortal like the rest of us. Born in China and raised all over the Bay Area, Larry's road to achieving a real life anime physique started the same way it does for many young men: getting his heart broken by a girl. Learn how Larry channeled his desire for vengeance into a discipline and determination for natural bodybuilding, as well as how his childhood, his education, and his interactions with aspiring athletes led to his fitness coaching and entrepreneurial endeavors with Shonen Supplements... plus a surprise appearance by a past guest on the podcast. Get 20% off all purchases by using our code GODZ20 at checkout when you shop at 1587sneakers.com

Author, Journalist, and Culture Critic Jeff Chang #041

Jeff Chang is a giant in the world of journalism and music criticism, writing for NPR, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Village Voice,  Vibe, The Nation, and Mother Jones. An award-winning author, Jeff wrote a definitive history of hip-hop, Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation which won an American Book Award in 2005. Besides his writing, the podcast host and record label founder is an organizer who focuses on bridging the gap between disparate communities. We talk with him about his latest work, Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America, and how this new biography about The Dragon breaks new ground on our understanding of Bruce himself, as well as how we reckon with the complicated and layered identity of Asian Americans overall. Get 20% off all purchases by using our code GODZ20 at checkout when you shop at 1587sneakers.com

Dance Choreography Legend and R&B Singer Brian Puspos #040

In the world of dance choreography, few names resonate like Brian Puspos. A proud Houston native, Brian is known for his emotionally-driven, highly technical style of dance choreo that interacts smoothly with the lyrics and musicality of the songs he works with. Brian chronicles his origins in dance learning step in Houston, his fortuitous connection to BTS and his heart-warming bromance with Jungkook, as well as his R&B catalogue with 88rising and beyond. Beyond dance and music, Brian talks about his lifelong connection to Houston, his interest in coffee, wellness practices that have helped him stay young, and some of the best eats he's had all over the world. Get 20% off all purchases by using our code GODZ20 at checkout when you shop at 1587sneakers.com

YouTube Singer-Songwriter Icon Melissa Polinar #039

An icon of the early YouTube music era of the 2000s, Melissa Polinar was part of the pioneering wave of singer-songwriters that made the video sharing platform a launchpad for independent music artists of all backgrounds, especially Asian Americans. Melissa talks about her roots in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas, her experience getting signed and working in Nashville, her breakout success on YouTube, as well as how her body of work, her unique musical timbre, and her connection to fans keeps her optimistic about the music industry in 2026.Get 20% off all purchases by using our code GODZ20 at checkout when you shop at 1587sneakers.com

Writer, Professor, Cultural Scholar Oliver Wang #038

Oliver Wang may be the coolest college professor alive. A faculty member of the Department of Sociology at Cal State, Long Beach, Oliver spent his adolescence developing a unique taste in music that has led to an illustrious writing career, penning reviews and commentary for the likes of NPR, the Los Angeles Times, and KCET. Besides being a podcast host in his own right, co-hosting Maximum Fun's Pop Rocket and Heat Rocks, Oliver is also an accomplished author, most notably “Legions of Boom: Filipino American Mobile DJ Crews of the San Francisco Bay Area”. Oliver talks about how being professionally curious got him started on his unique career path, his earliest hip-hop memories growing up in San Marino, the difficult and unique position Asian Americans have in the world of rap, as well as his most recent work, the book Cruising J-Town and its accompanying museum exhibition. Get 20% off all purchases by using our code GODZ20 at checkout when you shop at 1587sneakers.com