Best Phil Yu Podcasts (2025)

1
Coming Soon…Squid Game: The Official Podcast Season 3 1:29

1h ago1:29

1:29

The final season is here—and Squid Game: The Official Podcast is your ultimate companion to the end of the Game. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please return once more to break down every shocking twist and betrayal, and the choices that will determine who, if anyone, makes it out alive. Will Player 456 and the cast of characters we’ve grown to love final…

1
Episode 805: Elias Weiss, Dan Nadel, Kate Folk

5h ago

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This week on "BETA, Elias Weiss Friedman, also known as The Dogist, joins us to talk about his book, “This Dog Will Change Your Life.”And Dan Nadel on writing the first biography of cartoonist Robert Crumb.And we’ll talk with Kate Folk re. her incredible debut novel, “Sky Daddy.”

1
They Call Us Murder at the Patel Motel 44:47

8h ago44:47

44:47

Jeff and Phil welcome back actor, activist and author Maulik Pancholy, co-writer and star of the scripted comedy podcast Murder at the Patel Motel. He talks about the real-life "Patel motel cartel" that inspired the audio drama's small town murder mystery milieu; blending the tried-and-true tropes of an Agatha Christie-style whodunnit with a gay, I…

1
They Call Us Andrew Ahn 58:14

9d ago58:14

58:14

Jeff and Phil welcome back their old friend Andrew Ahn, writer/director of The Wedding Banquet, a reimagining of Ang Lee's beloved classic. They discuss Andrew's journey as a filmmaker; assembling an all-star team -- including Youn Yuh-jung, Joan Chen, Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang -- for the project; navigating the complexities a…

1
Episode 718: Jim O’Heir, Jim Gaffigan, Craig D. Lindsey

7d ago

—

Jim O’Heir joins us to talk about playing Jerry Gergich on the beloved sitcom, “Parks and Recreation.” Also, comedian Jim Gaffigan brings the funny and the skinny with his new stand-up special for Hulu. And film critic Craig D. Lindsey revisits the best-selling soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino’s hit indie film, “Pulp Fiction.”…

1
They Call Us Gold Star Trophy 1:09:51

14d ago1:09:51

1:09:51

Jeff and Phil welcome back Shin Yu Pai to talk about the latest season of her podcast Ten Thousand Things, along with fellow podcaster Yowei Shaw (Proxy, NPR's Invisibilia). They talk about the objects that help us move forward -- like a gold star trophy; how layoffs can be like breakups that unravel your sense of identity, purpose, and self-worth;…

1
Episode 804: Andrew DeYoung, Sarah Jarosz, Kyle Seibel

19d ago

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This week on "BETA," ...Andrew DeYoung joins us to talk about the very funny comedy, “Friendship,” starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd.Also, four-time Grammy Award winner Sarah Jarosz discusses the new album, “Wild and Clear and Blue,” from her folk super group, I’m With Her.And Kyle Sighbull on his hilarious, gritty, and bizarre debut short story …

1
They Call Us Strangers in the Land 59:39

21d ago59:39

59:39

Jeff and Phil welcome Michael Luo, executive editor at The New Yorker and author of the book Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America, a sweeping narrative history of the Chinese in America, and their more than century-long struggle to belong in the face of bigotry, persecution, exclusion and racial …

1
Episode 601: Susanna Hoffs, Atsuko Okatsuka, Kevin Wilson

21d ago

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Bangles co-founder, Susanna Hoffs, joins us to talk about writing her debut novel and recording a new album. Also, comedian Atsuko Okatsuka intrudes on us to tell us about her […]

1
They Call Us Sinners 49:13

28d ago49:13

49:13

Jeff and Phil welcome Dolly Li, documentary filmmaker, journalist and cultural consultant on Ryan Coogler's epic vampire blockbuster Sinners. They discuss Dolly's documentary on The Untold Story of America's Southern Chinese, and the deep-rooted origins of the Mississippi Delta's Chinese American community; how Ryan Coogler's own family connection …

1
Episode 803: Paul Hunter, Vijay Khurana, Alex Braverman

28d ago

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This week on “BETA, Paul Hunter talks about his very funny Apple TV+ comedy drama series, “Government Cheese.” And Vijay Khurana on his powerful debut novel, “The Passenger’s Seat.” Also, […]

1
They Call Us Ten Times Better 49:41

1M ago49:41

49:41

Jeff and Phil welcome director Jennifer Lin and producer Jon Funabiki to talk about their documentary Ten Times Better and the incredible untold story of George Lee, a pioneering dancer with an unheralded place in ballet and Broadway history. They discuss the sensational skill and artistry that landed George the role he originated in The Nutcracker…

1
They Call Us Heritage Month? 32:43

1M ago32:43

32:43

It's May, and that means it's AANHPI Heritage Month -- possibly the last one ever, if certain people get their way. Jeff and Phil check in and discuss the significance of Heritage Month, reflecting on community resilience, cultural celebrations, and the challenges faced by Asian Americans in this moment. By way of The Good, The Bad, and The WTF, th…

1
Episode 802: Yahlin Chang and Eric Tuchman, Christine Wenc, Felipe Torres Medina

1M ago

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This week on “BETA, “Yahlin Chang and Eric Tuchman join us to talk about the sixth and final season of Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” And Christine Wence on her book, […]

1
They Call Us The Wedding Banquet 1:06:21

2M ago1:06:21

1:06:21

Jeff and Phil welcome back their old pals Rebecca Sun and Dino-Ray Ramos to talk about The Wedding Banquet, writer/director Andrew Ahn's contemporary re-envisioning of Ang Lee's 1993 beloved romantic comedy, starring Bowen Yang, Kelly Marie Tran, Lily Gladstone, and Han Gi-Chan. The big question: does this remake justify its existence? They discuss…

1
Episode 716: Mark Blake, Nora Lange, Charles Yu

2M ago

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This week on "BETA," ...music journalist Mark Blake on his latest book, “Dreams: The Many Lives of Fleetwood Mac.” And Nora Lange joins us to discuss her incredible debut novel, “US Fools.” Author Charles Yu also discusses adapting his novel Interior Chinatown into a mind-bending Hulu streaming series.…

1
They Call Us Michael L. Wong 44:01

2M ago44:01

44:01

Jeff and Phil welcome Dr. Michael L. Wong, an astrobiologist, planetary scientist and podcaster who studies planetary atmospheres, habitability, biosignatures, and the emergence of life. And Star Trek. He talks about his involvement in the Stand Up for Science protests, the intersection of science, activism, and the challenges faced by the scientif…

1
Episode 715: JD McPherson, Jean Hanff Korelitz, Ian Nathan

2M ago

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Musician JD McPherson sits down with us to discuss his latest album – “Nite Owls.”Also, Jean Hanff Korelitz joins us to talk about the sequel to her best-selling novel, “The Plot.” It’s called…”The Sequel.” And one of our favorite film critics, Ian Nathan, returns to share his thoughts on Steven Spielberg’s movies.…

1
REWIND: They Call Us The Most Asian Costco 55:32

2M ago55:32

55:32

In this rewind episode, we dip back into the archives and revisit Phil and Jeff's 2024 conversation with friend, journalist and fellow podcaster Ada Tseng about her Los Angeles Times piece which asked and answered a very important question: Which are the "most Asian" Costcos in Southern California? They discuss why the wholesale chain holds a parti…

1
Episode 714: Nick Lowe, Emily St. James/Noel Murray, Dan Kois

2M ago

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This week on "BETA," ... Britain’s greatest living songwriter, Nick Lowe, joins us to talk about his newest album, “Indoor Safari.”Also, Emily St. James and Noel Murray take us back to the island to revisit the significance of the TV series, “Lost.”And Dan Kois revisits selling newspaper subscriptions on a cold winter’s night in Milwaukee.…

1
Episode 801: Joseph Patel, Sara Sligar, Phil Cook

2M ago

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Producer Joseph Patel joins us to discuss his documentary, “Sly Lives!” It pays tribute to the groundbreaking musician Sly Stone.And Sara Sligar takes us inside her modern gothic novel, “Vantage Point,” which has it all – wealth, status, power…and a curse. Also, musician and Wisconsin native Phil Cook talks with us about his latest album, “Appalach…

1
They Call Us Ji-young Yoo 45:33

2M ago45:33

45:33

Jeff and Phil welcome actress Ji-young Yoo, star of Freaky Tales and Expats. She talks about the cathartic act of fictionally beating the crap out of some Nazis; capturing the specific fun and weird ("Bay shit") vibes of 1987 Oakland, from her punk wig to nailing the accent in Freaky Tales; feeling a sense of belonging in Hong Kong and acting toe-t…

1
They Call Us Vicki Tan 44:49

3M ago44:49

44:49

Jeff and Phil welcome Vicki Tan, digital product designer and author of Ask This Book a Question: An Interactive Journey to Find Wisdom for Life's Big and Little Decisions, a one-of-a-kind guide to smarter decision-making based in the science of cognitive bias and the wisdom of storytelling. Vicki shares her journey of writing the book, the signifi…

1
They Call Us Scam Factory 49:47

3M ago49:47

49:47

Jeff and Phil discuss the evil, manipulative, and highly organized world of online scams with journalists Nelson Wang, who became the target of a "pig butchering" crypto scam, and Denise Chan, host of the Wondery podcast Scam Factory, which exposes the brutal reality behind these ripoff operations. There's a scam for everybody. They talk about the …

1
They Call Us Stephen Park 48:38

3M ago48:38

48:38

Jeff and Phil welcome veteran actor Stephen Park, who discusses his iconic roles in projects like Do the Right Thing, Fargo, and In Living Color; the racist incident on the set of Friends that inspired his viral 1997 mission statement on Asian American representation in Hollywood; the ongoing challenges he's faced as a person of color in the indust…

1
They Call Us Asif Ali 52:34

3M ago52:34

52:34

Jeff and Phil welcome comedian and actor Asif Ali, star of the Hulu crime comedy series Deli Boys. They discuss evolution of South Asian roles from stereotypes to complex characters, and how the show puts a chaotic, hilarious twist on the mini-mart narrative. Asif talks about his professional journey in comedy, how he had to create his own opportun…

1
They Call Us Dustin Nguyen 54:38

4M ago54:38

54:38

Jeff and Phil welcome veteran actor Dustin Nguyen, star of the indie crime drama The Accidental Getaway Driver, a uniquely Vietnamese American story -- inspired by true events -- surprisingly told as a humanistic character study. He talks about the rage, hurt and loneliness of his character; his decades-spanning career journey and the evolution of …

1
They Call Us Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 1:01:29

4M ago1:01:29

1:01:29

Jeff and Phil welcome diversity advocates and experts Mia Ives-Rublee and Sumi Pendakur to discuss the impact of the current political climate on Asian American activism and identity. They talk about the importance of diversity in higher education in shaping identities and worldviews, the assault on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in th…

1
They Call Us Sanjay Shah and Jude Weng 58:39

4M ago58:39

58:39

Jeff and Phil continue their celebration of Fresh Off the Boat's 10th anniversary and welcome writer Sanjay Shah (Everybody Still Hates Chris, Dream Productions, Central Park) and director Jude Weng (Finding Ohana, The Good Place, Only Murders in the Building) -- key creatives involved in the making of the groundbreaking series. They look back at t…

1
They Call Us Hudson Yang 1:06:52

4M ago1:06:52

1:06:52

Phil and Jeff celebrate the 10th anniversary of Fresh Off the Boat with series star Hudson Yang (who also happens to be Jeff's son). They reflect on the show's impact on their family, Hudson's journey from childhood aspirations to landing a lead role, and the significance of the show in reshaping narratives around Asian Americans in media. They loo…

1
They Call Us Parents in the Year of the Snake 1:06:29

4M ago1:06:29

1:06:29

It's the Year of the Snake! In this special Lunar New Year episode, Jeff and Phil welcome fellow Potluck Podcast pals -- and fellow parents -- Ada Tseng (Saturday School), Joanna Lee (Sound and Fury, The Korean Drama Podcast), and Marvin Yueh (Books and Boba, Good Pop) to celebrate new beginnings and the arrival of Marvin's twins while discussing t…

1
They Call Us Birthright Citizenship 1:05:48

5M ago1:05:48

1:05:48

Jeff and Phil welcome Eileen Chow, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at Duke University's Asian/Pacific Studies Institute, and Ava Chin, CUNY professor and author of Mott Street: A Chinese American Family’s Story of Exclusion and Homecoming, to talk about birthright citizenship, a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution, now under …

1
They Call Us Los Angeles Wildfires 54:14

5M ago54:14

54:14

Jeff and Phil welcome friends, author/podcaster R Scott Okamoto and filmmaker/professor Renee Tajima-Pena to share their reflections on the devastating wildfires that have ravaged parts of greater Los Angeles. Scott shares about the terrifying experience of evacuating from the approaching inferno, while Renee recounts her efforts to save her family…

1
They Call Us Extremely Unique Dynamic 44:43

5M ago44:43

44:43

Jeff and Phil welcome Harrison Xu and Ivan Leung, the directors/writers/producers/stars of Extremely Unique Dynamic, a "Meta-Asian-Stoner-Coming-of-Age-Bromantic Dramedy" about two best friends who decide to make a movie... about two guys making a movie... about two guys making a movie. They talk about making a buddy narrative to showcase their fri…

1
Friend or Foe - S2 Ep 7 25:01

5M ago25:01

25:01

In the Season 2 finale of Squid Game, an explosive fight ignites between the remaining players and the game’s architects. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please, joined by special guest Jason Concepcion, unpack the episode’s most shocking moments, from Gi-hun’s bloody “special game” revolt, to Player 001’s masterclass in deception—and ask: Can Gi-hun’s her…

1
O X - S2 Ep 6 29:27

5M ago29:27

29:27

In Episode 6, “O X,” Phil and Kiera dive into the shocking twists of “Round and Round,“ the carousel game. Special guest Dash Katz, from Squid Game: The Challenge S1, joins the conversation to talk survival strategies and share their fiery takes on the season’s most dramatic betrayals. Plus, we unpack the game makers’ introduction of the O vs. X ri…

1
One More Game - S2 Ep 5 28:19

5M ago28:19

28:19

In Episode 5, “One More Game,” the surviving players rally together after an inspiring finish to the Six-Legged Pentathlon, only to face a pivotal vote: split the cash and leave now, or risk their lives in hopes of winning more? Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please are joined by special guests Trey Plutnicki and LeAnn Wilcox Plutnicki from Squid Game: Th…

1
Six Legs - S2 Ep 4 31:02

6M ago31:02

31:02

In Episode 4, “Six Legs,” alliances are formed as players are thrown into their first team game. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please unpack the heart-pounding moments as Gi-hun reluctantly steps into the role of leader as the players face a grueling six-legged pentathlon that demands far more than brute strength to survive. Meanwhile, Pink Guard 011 gra…

1
They Call Us Squid Game Season 2 2:00:24

6M ago2:00:24

2:00:24

Jeff and Phil welcome back the crew — Rebecca Sun and Dino-Ray Ramos — to discuss season two of the global sensation Squid Game, which is officially Netflix's most watched show ever. In what is quite possibly this podcast's longest episode ever, they discuss the return and evolution of some fan-favorite characters, their least favorite new characte…

1
001 - S2 Ep 3 29:10

6M ago29:10

29:10

Phil and Kiera break down Episode 3, “001,” with special guest Heidi Wong—poet, writer, and horror fanatic. Gi-hun’s shocking return to the games sets the stage for a Red Light, Green Light redux like we’ve never seen before. As he tries to lead the players to safety, the question looms: how much can he really change the games? And the biggest twis…

1
Halloween Party - S2 Ep 2 29:42

6M ago29:42

29:42

In Episode 2, Gi-hun teams up with Detective Jun-ho for a high-stakes Halloween mission. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please are joined by special guest Jaeki Cho (Founder of Righteous Eats) to discuss Gi-hun’s dramatic transformation from Season 1 to Season 2, analyze the Front Man’s unsettling worldview, and delve into the origin story of No-eul, a No…

1
They Call Us Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld 54:38

6M ago54:38

54:38

Jeff and Phil welcome showrunner/producer Echo Wu and writer Jade Chang, key creatives behind the Netflix animated series Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld, starring Ali Wong. They talk about creating a uniquely Asian American young adult action/horror/supernatural family drama; melding Asian mythology and folklore with contemporary youth culture (com…

1
Bread and Lottery - S2 Ep 1 31:25

6M ago31:25

31:25

Squid Game is back, and so is Player 456. In the gripping Season 2 premiere, Player 456 returns with a vengeance, leading a covert manhunt for the Recruiter. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please dive into Gi-hun’s transformation from victim to vigilante, the Recruiter’s twisted philosophy on fairness, and the dark experiments that continue to haunt the S…

1
They Call Us Ronny Chieng 57:45

6M ago57:45

57:45

Jeff and Phil welcome comedian Ronny Chieng to discuss his latest Netflix special Love to Hate It. He talks about his efforts to harvest his wife's eggs (with no medical training whatsoever), the frustrating susceptibility of baby boomers to internet scams, his near-decade-long tenure as a correspondent on The Daily Show, and why the only career mo…

1
They Call Us The Last of the Sea Women 51:07

6M ago51:07

51:07

Jeff and Phil welcome filmmaker Sue Kim, director/producer of The Last of the Sea Women, a documentary about the haenyeo, a fierce community of South Korean divers fighting the save their vanishing culture from looming threats. She talks about her lifelong fascination with this "badass girl gang," her drive to tell the stories of unique subcultures…

1
Coming Soon…Squid Game: The Official Podcast Season 2 1:58

6M ago1:58

1:58

Let the new games begin! Starting Thursday, December 26th, join hosts Phil Yu (aka “Angry Asian Man”) and Kiera Please as they dive into each episode of Squid Game Season 2. Joined by a lineup of special guests, they’ll unpack the deadly new challenges, explore the layered characters, and debate the moral dilemmas that will leave you questioning ev…

1
They Call Us A Great Divide 1:12:30

6M ago1:12:30

1:12:30

Jeff and Phil welcome filmmaker Jean Shim and actress Jae Suh Park, director and star of the independent drama A Great Divide -- also co-written and produced by our very own Jeff Yang. They talk about making a movie inspired by the contemporary backdrop of anti-Asian hate, the personal experiences with racism and xenophobia that informed the film's…

1
They Call Us Interior Chinatown 44:43

7M ago44:43

44:43

Jeff and Phil welcome writer Charles Yu, showrunner/executive producer of the Hulu series Interior Chinatown, adapted from his award-winning novel of the same name. They discuss the challenges of taking a somewhat indescribable and seemingly un-adaptable book and adapting it into a 10-episode prestige series; how Interior Chinatown is actually like…

1
They Call Us Thanksgiving 2024 46:53

7M ago46:53

46:53

Jeff and Phil talk turkey in their semi-traditional annual observation of thanks and giving, and welcome comedians Joe Wong and Sierra Katow to talk comedy, careers and these troubled times. They talk about coming from very different -- parentally-supported versus culturally nonexistent -- standup traditions, the stereotypes that still hound them, …

1
They Call Us Shōgun 1:07:52

7M ago1:07:52

1:07:52

Jeff and Phil welcome co-creator/executive producer Rachel Kondo and writer/co-executive prodicer Shannon Goss of Shōgun, now one of the most acclaimed television shows of all time. They talk about setting out to adapt the original novel with a different, shifted perspective, the complicated multi-step script-to-screen process of translating the sh…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Phil Yu Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen