This Filipino American Life

https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tfal-episode232.mp3 [https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tfal-episode232.mp3] [https://i0.wp.com/thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/232.png?resize=1200%2C1200&ssl=1] TFALpodcast kicks off PRIDE month with a conversation with author and illustrator Mike Curato. In this episode Elaine and Producer Mike learn about Mike Curato’s journey with Gaysians [https://bookshop.org/p/books/gaysians-michael-curato/21869181?ean=9781643755120&next=t&next=t&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12440232635&gbraid=0AAAAACfld42CIkAeNt7ZC1p04ZeFgKt4v&gclid=CjwKCAjwl_XBBhAUEiwAWK2hzgOBExxlf412PRbChw_S9_HU2Dd9W8owF4F68CRty709t9eQbwfncRoCZa4QAvD_BwE], Curato’s first graphic novel for adult audiences. Curato is best known for Little Elliot [https://bookshop.org/p/books/little-elliot-big-family-mike-curato/11067178], a picture book series, and Flamer [https://bookshop.org/p/books/flamer-mike-curato/14252241?ean=9781250756145&next=t], a young adult graphic novel which has the distinction of being listed as one of NPR’s Best Books of 2020 while simultaneously being one of the most banned and challenged books in the United States. Pick up Gaysians at your local independent bookstore or Bookshop.org. You can also catch Mike on his book tour! [https://i0.wp.com/thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-02-at-9.09.14-AM.png?resize=743%2C722&ssl=1] Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on ThisFilipinoAmericanLife.com, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-this-filipino-american/id1114155238] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7jTAf1Cv2OpqdGoBhIhaq2], or wherever your favorite podcasts are found. What song would you add to your Pride playlist? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail at (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com.

https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/tfal-episode231.mp3 [https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/tfal-episode231.mp3] On Election Day 2024, while most of the level-headed American public mourned the re-emergence of the far-right orange man, local folks in Los Angeles had a moment of electoral triumph with the victory of Ysabel Jurado to the Los Angeles City Council. Jurado is the first Filipino/a/x American to ever serve on the City Council for the nation’s 2nd largest city and the home to the largest number of Filipinos outside of the Philippines. It was truly a victory for Filipinos and so many other historically marginalized communities in the city. The TFAL crew knew Ysabel for many years and have been a big supporter of her leadership, so we are ecstatic that she was able to join the podcast. Listen as we discuss her victory over her racist and corrupt opponent, her first few months in office, her loyalty and duty to working class communities, California’s housing crisis, Bernie-chella, and the hopeful future of SM Eagle Rock (aka Eagle Rock Plaza). We also ask her what it was like to work with great Ryan and Joe (spoiler: Ryan and Joe are mid). If you want to know more about the inner workings, pressures, and rewards of running a campaign and serving as an elected official, this is the episode for you. Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on ThisFilipinoAmericanLife.com, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-this-filipino-american/id1114155238] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7jTAf1Cv2OpqdGoBhIhaq2], or wherever your favorite podcasts are found.

https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/tfal-episode230.mp3 [https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/tfal-episode230.mp3] In this episode TFAL’s Elaine and Producer Mike have a conversation with Lisa Angulo Reid, founder of Dear Flor [https://dearflor.com/] @lovedearflor [https://www.instagram.com/lovedearflor]. Dear Flor’s mission is to bring Filipino culture to the world, one flavor at a time. Lisa shares her journey as an entrepreneur and how she transitioned from advertising to the quickly growing cannabis industry. If you have ever been interested in trying gummies, take advantage of the Dear Flor 4/20 promo! All Dear Flor products are 20% off! Free shipping on all orders. Promo ends at midnight Pacific Time on 4/20. Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on ThisFilipinoAmericanLife.com, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-this-filipino-american/id1114155238] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7jTAf1Cv2OpqdGoBhIhaq2], or wherever your favorite podcasts are found. What flavor would you like to see in a gummy? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail at (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com [thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com].

In this TFAL episode, Joe talks to Dr. Allan Lumba [https://www.allaneslumba.com/], writer, researcher, historian, and professor at Concordia University in Montreal, about potential of Filipinx Studies to inspire our community to fight for a better world. Listen how he developed into a brilliant scholar focused on Philippine Studies, the growing number of Filipino and Filipino American intellectuals unapologetically studying the Philippines and Filipinos in the diaspora, the making of a Filipinx Freedom School [https://filipinxfreedomschool.ghost.io/], and the current global fascist moment emerging from decades of neoliberal policies. In the episode, they also wax nostalgic about being roommates during their graduate school days at the University of Washington. Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on ThisFilipinoAmericanLife.com, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-this-filipino-american/id1114155238] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7jTAf1Cv2OpqdGoBhIhaq2], or wherever your favorite podcasts are found. Any thoughts on the episode? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail at (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com [thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com].

https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/tfal-episode228.mp3 [https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/tfal-episode228.mp3] The TFAL crew is no stranger to the world of animation. In episode 28 (TFAL talks Voice Acting (and Secrets & Fears) [https://thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/2018/09/12/episode-28-tfal-talks-voice-acting-and-secrets-fears/]), the crew had a conversation with voice actors Eric Bauza (@bauzilla [https://www.instagram.com/bauzilla/]) and Earl Baylon (@earlybgoode [https://www.instagram.com/earlybgoode/]). While Producer Mike and Elaine were on their trip in the Philippines, they were able to connect with Oscar nominated animation director and founder of Rise Up Animation (@riseupanimation [https://www.instagram.com/riseupanimation/]), Bobby Pontillas (@bobbypontillas [https://www.instagram.com/bobbypontillas/]). [https://i0.wp.com/thisfilipinoamericanlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_6997.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1] This conversation took place in the lobby of the Fairmont Makati (over a delicious meal, naturally), hence the background noise throughout. Many thanks to Bobby for taking the time to talk with Elaine and Producer Mike! Listen or download the episode through the embedded player on ThisFilipinoAmericanLife.com, or subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/podcast-this-filipino-american/id1114155238] Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/7jTAf1Cv2OpqdGoBhIhaq2], or wherever your favorite podcasts are found. What Filipino and/or Filipino American stories would you love to see animated? What are your favorite animated films? Let us know! Leave us a voicemail at (805) 394-TFAL or email us at thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com [thisfilipinoamericanlife@gmail.com].