#17 Behind the comedy and queer Asian life, love, and spirituality with Margaret Cho

This episode, we have none other than Margaret Cho, one of the leading queer Asian voices in comedy, media, and activism here in America. We sit down and talk about her life leading up to comedy, including what it was like growing up in a Korean household, exploring sexuality, dating as a queer Asian, finding spirituality, and practicing mindfulness.

 

She has been a Five-time Grammy and Emmy-nominated comedian, and named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s 50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time, 50 People Who Changed American Comedy by CNN, and most recently, stunned America singing her way through the wildly popular break-out hit show The Masked Singer. She is currently on tour with her international “Fresh Off The Bloat” tour and has a brand new podcast, where each week she interviews people YOU KNOW and people she thinks YOU SHOULD KNOW, if you don't already. The 36-episode first season includes guests such as Jonathan Van Ness, Kat Von D, Michael Yo, Kathy Griffin, Quentin Tarantino, Diablo Cody AAAND along with her brand new dog Lucia.

 

On this episode, we talk about:

• Dropping out of school to pursue comedy, especially within Asian culture.
• Growing up in San Francisco in a queer bookstore.
• Life during the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
• Navigating bisexuality within American and Asian cultures.
• How to explore and discover our sexuality.
• Thoughts on dating apps and being catfished.
• Our horror stories on furniture with sharp corners.
• Growing up in Korea and America, within American and Korean culture.
• Cultural shedding in language and mannerisms as part of Americanization.
• Battling internalized racism and dating other Asians.
• Margaret’s perspectives on spirituality and religion.
• Why religion and spirituality are ultimately finding what works for us.
• Staying true to herself and integrating social activism into her comedy.
• One of the most important things about doing a comedy show.
• How to stay mindful and present while being on the road on her international tour.

References:

• The Circle Reality Show

Reach out to Margaret Cho:

• https://twitter.com/margaretcho
• https://www.instagram.com/margaret_cho
• https://www.facebook.com/officialmargaretcho/

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