One In A Billion

Sheetal Sheth is an Indian American actress, author and activist based in New York City. You may remember her breakout role as “Maya” co-starring with Albert Brooks in “Looking For Comedy in the Muslim World”  (2005). Since then, Sheetal’s star keeps rising, appearing in dozens of TV shows and films. In 2013, she got married and soon became a mother to two girls. Then, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. As Sheetal struggled to recover, she was determined to raise her children with a deep sense of pride and love for India. Why? Also, what inspired her to write children’s books for Indian Americans while she was pregnant in New York City? Click here for more about Sheetal Sheth. Music used: What Is Love (Piano) by Zight Sad Ambient Piano by Lite Saturation Free Hopping Piano by Lobo Loco Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1 - II. Adagio by Daniel Veesey Brand New World by Kai Engel One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy Photo Credit: David Goddard

Neil Mody is a media entrepreneur, tech enthusiast and philosopher at heart.   In this open-hearted conversation, Neil shares snippets of his phone conversations with his father that would forever be seared into his mind. What did his father say? Why did Neil tell his mother not to wear a “sari” to his eighth grade graduation?  Why did he feel embarrassed by his “Indianness” growing up in New Jersey,  and how does he feel now?   Find Your Roots is a history and culture project centering on Asian American voices, perspectives, and experiences. It is a one-on-one, in-depth podcast interview show with Asian “Roots-Finders” seeking to remember the diverse and profound influences of their parents and grandparents. This educational podcast project is designed to promote and preserve the legacy of the countless contributions—as well as forgotten struggles and sacrifices—of our ancestors who paved the way for us today.   We want to include you in this conversation. Share your thoughts. Pitch us a story.

Martial Arts, Kung Fu Master (師傅) , Yoga Instructor, Political Activist Mai Du was just eight years old when she aspired to learn Kung Fu. Then she became a refugee after the Vietnam war fleeing with her family through Thailand and the Philippines before arriving in America. Today, Mai du is a martial arts instructor, kung fu master and political activist.  What formed her fighting spirit? How did her parents’ survival skills mold her mindset?  Check out our conversation! Music used: Vienna Beat by Blue Dot Sessions Adventure by The Ghost in Your Piano Trophy Endorphins by Andy G Cohen Mountain Monk C by Lobo Loco Sonata No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 2 No. 1 - II. Adagio by Daniel Veesey  Stormy Blues by Arne Bang Huseby A Yankees Southern Blues by HoliznaCC0  Only Our Footsteps in the Sand by Mid-Air Machine  One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy Photo Credit:  Dat Nguyen   

More than a decade after she was labeled as “Tiger Mom” for her 2011 memoir “The Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother,” Amy Chua reflects on her strict parenting style as she traces the roots of her culture to Fuzhou, China. Why did Amy feel right about raising her daughters the same way she was raised by her immigrant parents? What lessons has she learned from her critics in the West? What prompted her to pursue a career in corporate law before teaching law at Yale? And now, what motivated her to write  her first novel “The Golden Gate?” Amy Chua is a Yale law school professor with expertise in international business transactions, ethnicity and conflict, and globalization. She is an author of five non-fiction titles including Political Tribes: Group Instinct and Fate of Nation, and The Triple Package: How Three Unlikely Traits Explain the Rise and Fall of Cultural Groups in America.   Photo Credit: Joel Griffith   Music used: I Will Not Let You Let Me Down by Josh Woodward Your Mothers Daughter by Chris Za

Have you ever felt abandoned by your parents? What would you do to reconcile with them? 24-year-old Angela Li was born in New York City but sent back to Fuzhou, China while an infant to be raised by her grandparents until she turned five. When she entered the U.S, she felt she’d closed the door on her childhood in China. Now, she is just beginning to reconcile with that as an adult.  In this podcast conversation, Angela describes her process of self-healing by starting an oral project of interviewing her parents. “For the first time, I see my mom as a human being.”  Angela says.  What did she mean? What did she find? Music used: Space Full by Andy G. Cohen Rain by Unheard Music Concepts Inside the Moon by Stephan Siebert Mountain Monk C by Lobo Loco  Bells In The Wind by Daniel Birch The Shine by Jahzzar   One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy  

Have you ever lost your sense of purpose after your loved one suddenly died? Whom do you turn to find strength to renew your mind and spirit? Born in Sorsogon, the Philippines, Loida N. Lewis, traces the roots of her undying faith that revives her in her darkest hour after her husband Reginald F. Lewis died of brain cancer. Loida also talks about her new memoir,“Why Should Guys Have All the Fun?” - an Asian American story of love, marriage, faith and running a billion dollar business empire.  Loida Lewis is a business executive, immigration lawyer, philanthropist and activist. Music used: Dream by Chan Wai Fat Spiritual by HoliznaPATREON  Space Full by Andy G Cohen You're Right But I'm Me by Doctor Turtle Undercover Vampire Policeman by Chris Zabriskie One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy  

Have you ever felt the need to know your family history as a way to become whole? What can you remember about your parents’ immigrant journey or struggle that would help you weave a cohesive narrative for their past sacrifices and your current success? Born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, Fran Chin, tells a compelling story about his father and mother’s voyage from Guangdong, China to escape penury so he and his eight siblings could enjoy a better life here in America.  Music used: History by Twelvety9 Burn Me Alive by MMFFF Even When We Fall by FPhilipp Weigl Lullaby by The Ghost in Your Piano Inspirational Outlook by Scott Holmes Horses by Pictures of the Floating World Mountain Monk B by Lobo Loco One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy Find Your Roots is a history and culture project centering on Asian American voices, perspectives, and experiences. It is a one-on-one in-depth podcast interview show with Asian “Roots-Finders” seeking to remember the diverse and profound influences of their parents and

Have you stopped and considered what got you here? Who paved the way for you to learn and grow up in America? For first-generation Chinese American Paul Lee who was born in Somerville, Massachusetts, it is time for him and his siblings to remember their cultural roots, and to honor his parents’ incredible immigrant journey to America. It is also time for us to thank his father Sen Lee for his service to America. Sen Lee fought for America in WWII in the United States Armed Forces in Pacific Theatre.  Music Used: The Wrong Way by Jahzzar The Family Instrumental by Chad Crouch Prism by Xylo Ziko Four Way by William Ross Chernoff's Nomads Climb by The Ghost in Your Piano Boss 1: The First Challenge by Komiku Singing In The Rain Instrumental by David Mumford Rosedale Daydream Back in the Room by Greg Atkinson Youk Ra Lom Ai Oh by Les Cartes Postales Sonores One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy Find Your Roots is a history and culture project centering on Asian American voices, perspectives, and experience

Do you have a hard time identifying with this kind of Chinese, or that kind of American, and wanting to create a third category of cultural identity? Do you feel so foreign while visiting China as a Chinese American?  Irene Li is a James Beard Award Winning Chef,  Co-founder/Co-owner at Mei Mei Dumplings in Boston,  Massachusetts. She is also a tech founder,  and  WBUR (Boston NPR) CitySpace Moderator/ Host. A Cornell University graduate, Irene Li was part of the college scholar program and majored in cultural studies.   Music used: Malachite by Andy G Cohen New Day by Alan Spiljak Even When We Fall by FPhilipp Weigl Above the Clouds by Bio Unit Bathed in Fine Dust by Andy G Cohen Highride by Blue Dot Sessions Flux by The Ghost in Your Piano Oxygen Mask by Andy G Cohen I Recall by Blue Dot Sessions One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy   Find Your Roots is a history and culture project centering on Asian American voices, perspectives, and experiences. It is a

Are you denying your roots if you ignore them? Why should one’s culture be a forethought and not an afterthought? Who defines your cultural identity? Dr. Elaine Shiang is a retired Chinese American medical doctor at MIT with over 35 years of experience. Episode 1 Don't’ Deny It  is her account of her family history in China, their journey to America, her parents’ influence on her and her advice for the next generation.  Elaine is a mother of three adult children - Andrew, Margaret, Irene. All of them were born in the greater Boston area, including Elaine herself. However, Elaine was introduced to the Chinese language early in her childhood and even lived in Taiwan for three years. That experience, she says, exposed her to the wider world and a greater appreciation of the value of embracing your roots.   Elaine also talks about her late husband Dr. Frederick Pei Li  who came to America as a refugee.  Dr. Li, a Chinese-American physician, was a pioneer of population cancer genetics.  For more about Dr

How can you make a difference when you are still climbing the career ladder and have little money to spare? How much can you give when you already focus so much of your time and effort to gain acceptance, appreciation, and accolades at work and in life? Listen to my podcast conversation with Kyung B. Yoon - president and co-founder of the Korean American Community Foundation (KACF). A television journalist, public speaker, Taekwondo instructor. Music used: One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy You're the Dummy by Derek Clegg Arena 17 Back From the Death Row by Koi-Discovery Adventure by The Ghost in Your Piano Convergence by Pictures of the Floating World Highway Fever by HoliznaCC0 Kyung first came to America after the Korean war and discovered a land of luxuries. But she never forgets how South Korea, her homeland, has grown and developed from a poor country to become an economic miracle when men and women are given equal opportunities for education. Throughout her life and career, Kyung keeps in min

Why would a Harvard-educated college graduate and medical school student get thrown out of a UCLA medical residency? What did he do wrong? What did he do right to get back in?  And why would he later quit his medical residency to pursue creative projects including documentary-filmmaking in China?  Most intriguingly, how did any of these paths pave the way for his eventual success as a cosmetic surgeon in Beverly Hills? And now, why does he choose to devote his philanthropic passion to promoting a positive image of Chinese people in America? Tune into my conversation with Dr. Robin Yuan - a plastic surgeon, philanthropist, and author of four books, including the latest “Red Bishop” - a historical fiction novel about his grandfather as the last presiding bishop of the Anglican church in China. Music used:One in a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthyI Will Not Let You Let Me Down by Josh WoodwardBurn Me Alive by MMFFFA Perceptible Shift by Andy G CohenGolden Sunrise by Josh WoodwardPicture It All by Lorenzos Mus

Why does an American-born Chinese philanthropist want to help young Chinese in America reconnect with their roots? Why is that important? What seeded that passion?  Tune into my conversation with Carolyn Hsu-Balcer in Episode #3 “Reconnecting with Your Roots.” Carolyn Hsu-Balcer is a designer, philanthropist, and art collector based in Los Angeles and New York.   Having lived in Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines, she returned to America (her birthplace) obligingly for college. Her mother told her America is her future because they didn’t have a home in China anymore.  How did Carolyn’s Chinese parents shape her love for country, history, art and culture? Why was Carolyn so inspired by her great-granduncle Dr. Kuo Ping-Wen - the first Chinese to have earned a PhD in America?? Why does Carolyn believe young Chinese in America should become global-minded?  Music used: One In a Billion Theme Song by Brad McCarthy Youk Ra Lom Ai Oh by Les Cartes Postales Sonores Lullaby by the Ghost in Your Piano A Yankees

LifeChangers is about Asian philanthropists sharing stories about life-changing turning points that have shaped their mindset and inspired their philanthropic passion. Now, they feel compelled to change the lives of others. How old were you when you first started making money? 16? 17? 18? Meet Mei-Lee Ney - an investment advisor, philanthropist, and art collector.  At age 75, Mei-Lee has been working non-stop since she was 10. Why? Who gave her critical advice about how she could get anything she wanted? And what is that advice?  How did Mei-Lee build and create wealth for herself and others without a college degree? And what motivated Mei-Lee to begin giving away her fortune, and for what causes?  Tune into my conversation with Mei-Lee Ney in Episode #2 “Money Matters” Music used: Working For the County by Derek CleggPlaytime by Jahzzar Banish by Slinte Dear Old Dad by HoliznaCCO Acoustic Fingerpicking 5 by Independent Music Licensing Collective Gray Drops by Sergey CheremisinovAcoustic Fingerpicking 1 by In

We kick off Season 6 “LifeChangers” today (August 26th)  with a limited special series. LifeChangers is about Asian philanthropists sharing stories about life-changing turning points that have shaped their mindset and inspired their philanthropic passion. Now, they feel compelled to change the lives of others.  You don’t need to give away a lot of money like Bill Gates to be a philanthropist. You only need to ask the right question at the right time. Episode #1 “Am I the Only One?” What more do you want when you reach the VP level of a top tech company in America?  For Buck Gee - a Chinese-American retired tech entrepreneur and philanthropist, when he became a senior executive at Cisco in the early 2000s, he asked his supervisor, “Am I the only one?”  He noticed that he was the only Asian American at that level, and he was unhappy. Why? What did he do about it? That question would become the seed of his philanthropic passion.  Tune into my conversation with Buck Gee in Episode 1 “Am I the Only One?” (Note: Bu

What would you do if you’ve written about becoming a Supreme Court justice, dreamed of a life and career in law, put in a lot of time and work to prepare for that track - then one day you change my mind?    Is it a waste of time, money and education at that point?   These are some of the questions that Daniel Christopher “D.C.” Rogers (Harvard Class of ‘12) had to wrestle with during his college years. And what made him change his mind?   In “Where Are They Now?” Episode #6, Gemma Schneider (Harvard student journalist/Class of 2023) interviews D.C. Rogers - award-winning writer, producer, and actor.  D.C. is a story editor for the upcoming Netflix legal show Partner Track. Previously, he was a staff writer on the CW drama In the Dark.     I am happy to be co-hosting this podcast as a contributing commentator. You’ll hear my views about how to figure out what you want to do with your life – before and after college.    “Where Are They Now?” is a special co-production between One in a Billion and WHRB (Harvard

How far will you travel outside of your hometown, your neighborhood, your comfort zone, in order to see the world differently? Why is it important to keep your sense of insecurity as your companion as you embark on your scientific, academic or philosophical enquiry? How does failure keep you hungry for success? Those are some of the questions that have led to surprising discoveries and satisfying rewards for Dr. Neil Shubin (Harvard GSAS Class of 1987). In “Where Are They Now?” Episode #4, Gemma Schneider (Harvard student journalist/Class of 2023) interviews Dr. Neil Shubin - A paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and popular science writer.  Dr. Shubin made headlines in 2004 when he co-discovered Tiktaalik roseae, a fossil of a creature with traits found in both fish and tetrapods, and has since published three popular science books: Your Inner Fish, The Universe Within, and Some Assembly Required. I am happy to be co-hosting this podcast as a contributing commentator. You’ll hear my reflection on how I,

Should a Harvard education prepare you for failure?Should failure be normalized in the course of higher education?Or at the very least, would you want to learn how to take or talk about failure? Those are the sort of questions rarely asked if you’re a Harvard student who is used to acing your exams, winning accolades or top awards until one day – you suddenly lose what you’ve been taking for granted. In “Where Are They Now?” Episode #4, Gemma Schneider (Harvard student journalist/Class of 2023) interviews Sangu Delle (Harvard Class of 2010, Harvard JD & MBA 2016).  An entrepreneur, investor, author and philanthropist, Sangu speaks powerfully about his personal struggle with depression after a major business investor died suddenly before wiring the money. A lot were at stakes. Sangu was at a loss for words and found himself in a dark world for a long time before getting back on his feet. Today, he is a champion for mental health and a vocal teacher about the norm of failure. I am happy to be co-hosting thi

How do I want to engage in the world?Do I want to be an academic teaching philosophy as a professor?Wouldn’t that be a very inward-looking, insular kind of life?Is that what I want? Those were some of the questions Janet Hook, (Harvard Class ’77) asked herself before deciding not to pursue a Phd in philosophy. For Janet, a Harvard graduate with a degree in philosophy and government, her career choice is also a lifestyle choice. She chose to become a journalist right after college. In “Where Are They Now?” Episode #3, Gemma Schneider (Harvard student journalist/Class of 2023) interviews Los Angeles Time national correspondent Janet Hook. Janet reflects on her student days at Harvard, and some of the ways in which she has been influenced to choose the path of a journalist. She also talks candidly about her career trajectory and the life of a reporter. I am happy to be co-hosting this podcast as a contributing commentator. You’ll hear my thoughts about how Harvard fit into my former career as a TV journalist as

Many Harvard Asian American undergraduates I know with immigrant parents who are physicians receive a lot of pressure from their families to be a doctor. But not Divya Narendra, (Class of 2004) While at Harvard, Divya was given the space and the autonomy he needed to think critically and explore creatively what he wanted as a consumer that was missing in the market. Soon, he became an entrepreneur. In “Where Are They Now?” episode #2, Gemma Schneider (Harvard student journalist/Class of 2023) interviews Divya Narendra, CEO and co-founder of SumZero - an online community for professional investors to share business research.  Divya’s business mindset was formed during his Harvard days when he launched the Facebook forerunner HarvardConnection, or ConnectU. You may remember his role with Mark Zuckerberg in the 2010 feature film “The Social Network,”- a portrayal of the great minds which think alike but also fall apart due to fierce business competition. I am happy to be co-hosting as a contributing commentator