Undefinable: An AAGC Originals Podcast Wed, 13 May 2026 18:01:38 -0400 http://Asianamericangirlclub.com en-us © 2026 Undefinable: An AAGC Originals Podcast yes 39ee8c46-1efd-55a6-a36d-3ea457ba9248 Asian American Girl Club episodic false
Undefinable takes listeners inside the Asian American Girl Club world and beyond, where trailblazing stories meet community voices. Hosted by Kara Wang (GOOD TROUBLE), each episode brings together honest, meaningful conversations with an incredible lineup of multi hyphenate trailblazers.


Conversations range from lighthearted and fun to emotional and inspiring, always creating space for connection with listeners. Kara dives deep with guests to discuss what they were like growing up, how those experiences shaped them and the advice that they would give their younger selves. These conversations celebrate the stories that shape both culture and community.


]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Undefinable, Asian American Girl Club, AAGC, Jenna Ushkowitz, Kara Wang, Ally Maki, AAGC Originals Podcast, Women Asian American Girl Club https://storage.buzzsprout.com/6msc2xr4mfuoil64y1jf9g1w344b?.jpg Undefinable: An AAGC Originals Podcast http://Asianamericangirlclub.com Michelle Lee Michelle Lee HAPPY AAPI Heritage Month from all of us at AAGC & East West Bank.

In this episode, Michelle Lee sits down with Jenna and Kara to talk about a career in media that has shaped how Asian women are seen in fashion and beauty. From her time at Allure to her own personal style, Michelle reflects on growing up without representation, putting Asian women on magazine covers, and the full-circle joy of motherhood—like her daughter using an AAGC shirt as a lovey. A candid conversation about creativity, resilience and leaving a lasting impact.

Michelle Lee- an award-winning beauty industry expert and one of the most influential voices shaping modern beauty culture. She’s the former Editor in Chief of Allure, where she led groundbreaking moments like the iconic ‘This Is American Beauty’ cover and helped spark a global conversation by banning the term ‘anti-aging.’

Named Adweek’s Editor of the Year and an ADCOLOR Legend for her work in diversity and inclusion, Michelle is now a sought-after expert regularly featured by Vogue, The New York Times, and Business of Fashion. Today, she serves as a fractional CMO and Chief Brand Officer for leading beauty and wellness companies, and previously led global editorial and marketing at Netflix.

A longtime advocate for representation and inclusion, Michelle continues to shape the future of beauty, culture, and storytelling.

IG & Tiktok: @heymichellelee

Shoutout to our Presenting Sponsor, East West Bank, for championing AAGC and bringing these stories to life. 

A special Thank you to our friends at Babyletto!
Use code AAGC10 for 10% off your purchase at babyletto.com.
Terms and conditions apply, see baybletto.com for details

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> HAPPY AAPI Heritage Month from all of us at AAGC & East West Bank.

In this episode, Michelle Lee sits down with Jenna and Kara to talk about a career in media that has shaped how Asian women are seen in fashion and beauty. From her time at Allure to her own personal style, Michelle reflects on growing up without representation, putting Asian women on magazine covers, and the full-circle joy of motherhood—like her daughter using an AAGC shirt as a lovey. A candid conversation about creativity, resilience and leaving a lasting impact.

Michelle Lee- an award-winning beauty industry expert and one of the most influential voices shaping modern beauty culture. She’s the former Editor in Chief of Allure, where she led groundbreaking moments like the iconic ‘This Is American Beauty’ cover and helped spark a global conversation by banning the term ‘anti-aging.’

Named Adweek’s Editor of the Year and an ADCOLOR Legend for her work in diversity and inclusion, Michelle is now a sought-after expert regularly featured by Vogue, The New York Times, and Business of Fashion. Today, she serves as a fractional CMO and Chief Brand Officer for leading beauty and wellness companies, and previously led global editorial and marketing at Netflix.

A longtime advocate for representation and inclusion, Michelle continues to shape the future of beauty, culture, and storytelling.

IG & Tiktok: @heymichellelee

Shoutout to our Presenting Sponsor, East West Bank, for championing AAGC and bringing these stories to life. 

A special Thank you to our friends at Babyletto!
Use code AAGC10 for 10% off your purchase at babyletto.com.
Terms and conditions apply, see baybletto.com for details

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Buzzsprout-19061018 Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 3342 full false Lisa Ling Lisa Ling Happy AAPI Heritage Month from all of us at AAGC and East West Bank.

In this episode, Jenna and Kara sit down with childhood idol Lisa Ling for an intimate conversation about her remarkable journey. She reflects on her time on The View, the incredible influence of her grandmother, and growing up fast while knowing from an early age that she wanted to be a journalist. Lisa also opens up about what drives her as a storyteller, caring for her mother, and creating Mighty Lings. This is a thoughtful conversation about family, and the passion that fuels her life.

Lisa Ling is an award-winning journalist and storyteller. Most recently a special correspondent for CBS News, she produced series on the Crisis of Caregiving, the Psychedelic Renaissance, and the State of Spirituality.

She previously hosted and executive produced CNN’s This Is Life with Lisa Ling for nine seasons and Our America on OWN for five seasons, after serving as a field correspondent for The Oprah Winfrey Show and a contributor to ABC News’ Nightline.

Lisa was also the first female host of National Geographic’s flagship series Explorer, where she reported on MS-13, undercover stories in North Korea, and the drug wars in South America. She began her career at 21 with Channel One News, covering the civil war in Afghanistan, and later co-hosted ABC’s The View, which won its first Daytime Emmy during her tenure.

She’s the co-author of two books with her sister Laura, and serves on the boards of several organizations including The Asian American Foundation and the Kids Mental Health Foundation.

IG: @Lisaling @mightylings

Thank you, East West Bank, for being our Presenting Sponsor and helping AAGC tell our stories. 

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang 

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special Thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Happy AAPI Heritage Month from all of us at AAGC and East West Bank.

In this episode, Jenna and Kara sit down with childhood idol Lisa Ling for an intimate conversation about her remarkable journey. She reflects on her time on The View, the incredible influence of her grandmother, and growing up fast while knowing from an early age that she wanted to be a journalist. Lisa also opens up about what drives her as a storyteller, caring for her mother, and creating Mighty Lings. This is a thoughtful conversation about family, and the passion that fuels her life.

Lisa Ling is an award-winning journalist and storyteller. Most recently a special correspondent for CBS News, she produced series on the Crisis of Caregiving, the Psychedelic Renaissance, and the State of Spirituality.

She previously hosted and executive produced CNN’s This Is Life with Lisa Ling for nine seasons and Our America on OWN for five seasons, after serving as a field correspondent for The Oprah Winfrey Show and a contributor to ABC News’ Nightline.

Lisa was also the first female host of National Geographic’s flagship series Explorer, where she reported on MS-13, undercover stories in North Korea, and the drug wars in South America. She began her career at 21 with Channel One News, covering the civil war in Afghanistan, and later co-hosted ABC’s The View, which won its first Daytime Emmy during her tenure.

She’s the co-author of two books with her sister Laura, and serves on the boards of several organizations including The Asian American Foundation and the Kids Mental Health Foundation.

IG: @Lisaling @mightylings

Thank you, East West Bank, for being our Presenting Sponsor and helping AAGC tell our stories. 

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang 

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special Thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Buzzsprout-19060593 Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400 3680 full false Yuriyan Retriever Yuriyan Retriever In this episode, we sit down for a fun, high-energy conversation with multi-hyphenate and hilarious Yuriyan Retriever, who will be headlining at Netflix Is A Joke Fest on May 9th at the Laugh Factory. We talk about what Yuriyan was like growing up in Japan, her directorial debut, her dream of winning an Academy Award, and her time living in LA. She also gives a special multimedia performance and a sneak preview of her upcoming show.

Yuriyan Retriever is a multi-talented Japanese comedian, actress, director, and singer who continues to break boundaries across entertainment. Known for winning multiple comedy championships in Japan, she has also earned critical acclaim as an actress, including Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for her performance in The Queen of Villains on Netflix.

In 2025, she made her directorial debut, with her film premiering at Beyond Fest at the Egyptian Theatre and going on to win awards at international festivals including the Hawaii International Film Festival and the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma.

Beyond film and comedy, Yuriyan is also a recording artist signed to Universal Music, with multiple songs released and an album on the way. Now expanding her career to the U.S., she’s driven by one ultimate goal: to win an Academy Award.

https://www.netflixisajokefest.com/shows/yuriyan-retriever IG: @Yuriyanretriever

Tickets to Netflix Is A Joke Fest: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/netflix-is-a-joke-presents-yuriyan-retriever-at-laugh-factory-tickets-1984908174783

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special Thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> In this episode, we sit down for a fun, high-energy conversation with multi-hyphenate and hilarious Yuriyan Retriever, who will be headlining at Netflix Is A Joke Fest on May 9th at the Laugh Factory. We talk about what Yuriyan was like growing up in Japan, her directorial debut, her dream of winning an Academy Award, and her time living in LA. She also gives a special multimedia performance and a sneak preview of her upcoming show.

Yuriyan Retriever is a multi-talented Japanese comedian, actress, director, and singer who continues to break boundaries across entertainment. Known for winning multiple comedy championships in Japan, she has also earned critical acclaim as an actress, including Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Asian Academy Creative Awards for her performance in The Queen of Villains on Netflix.

In 2025, she made her directorial debut, with her film premiering at Beyond Fest at the Egyptian Theatre and going on to win awards at international festivals including the Hawaii International Film Festival and the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma.

Beyond film and comedy, Yuriyan is also a recording artist signed to Universal Music, with multiple songs released and an album on the way. Now expanding her career to the U.S., she’s driven by one ultimate goal: to win an Academy Award.

https://www.netflixisajokefest.com/shows/yuriyan-retriever IG: @Yuriyanretriever

Tickets to Netflix Is A Joke Fest: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/netflix-is-a-joke-presents-yuriyan-retriever-at-laugh-factory-tickets-1984908174783

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special Thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Buzzsprout-19060581 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 2365 full false Sarayu Blue Sarayu Blue In this episode, Sarayu joins Jenna and Kara for a moving conversation about forging her own path. She reflects on growing up a wild child, earning a black belt, and the courage it took to walk away from jobs that didn’t feel right. Sarayu also shares funny stories from her upbringing like stealing chairs, her scholarly parents and the lessons those moments taught her about resilience and following her instincts.

Sarayu Blue is a stage, film, and television actress. While Blue may have at once been more well-known for her sharp comedic timing, this perception shifted when she got the opportunity to show her range in the Amazon limited series, "Expats." Starring opposite Nicole Kidman, and directed by Lulu Wang, the role of Hilary became a meaningful highlight in Blue's career. Before Expats, a defining moment for Blue, was becoming the 2nd South Asian American woman ever, to lead an American sitcom. Blue starred as Emet in the female-driven NBC comedy, "I Feel Bad," produced by Amy Poehler. Blue began her career, stealing scenes in David E. Kelley's medical drama, "Monday Mornings," and she continued to work as a series regular on shows like, The CW's, "No Tomorrow." She also co-starred in the "Children's Hospital" spin-off, "Medical Police," along with getting to play some of her favorite roles in Netflix's, "Never Have I Ever," the 2nd & 3rd installments of "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," and the Universal feature, "Blockers," to name a few. Blue will next be seen in Netflix’s highly anticipated, “Unaccustomed Earth,” starring opposite Freida Pinto. 

IG: @Sarayublue

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang 

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special Thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> In this episode, Sarayu joins Jenna and Kara for a moving conversation about forging her own path. She reflects on growing up a wild child, earning a black belt, and the courage it took to walk away from jobs that didn’t feel right. Sarayu also shares funny stories from her upbringing like stealing chairs, her scholarly parents and the lessons those moments taught her about resilience and following her instincts.

Sarayu Blue is a stage, film, and television actress. While Blue may have at once been more well-known for her sharp comedic timing, this perception shifted when she got the opportunity to show her range in the Amazon limited series, "Expats." Starring opposite Nicole Kidman, and directed by Lulu Wang, the role of Hilary became a meaningful highlight in Blue's career. Before Expats, a defining moment for Blue, was becoming the 2nd South Asian American woman ever, to lead an American sitcom. Blue starred as Emet in the female-driven NBC comedy, "I Feel Bad," produced by Amy Poehler. Blue began her career, stealing scenes in David E. Kelley's medical drama, "Monday Mornings," and she continued to work as a series regular on shows like, The CW's, "No Tomorrow." She also co-starred in the "Children's Hospital" spin-off, "Medical Police," along with getting to play some of her favorite roles in Netflix's, "Never Have I Ever," the 2nd & 3rd installments of "To All the Boys I've Loved Before," and the Universal feature, "Blockers," to name a few. Blue will next be seen in Netflix’s highly anticipated, “Unaccustomed Earth,” starring opposite Freida Pinto. 

IG: @Sarayublue

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang 

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special Thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Asian American Girl Club Buzzsprout-19049673 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 2811 1 6 full false Sara Tan Sara Tan In this episode, beauty expert and longtime friend of AAGC, Sara Tan, sits down with Jenna and Kara for a deep dive into all things beauty. From the must-haves in her everyday bag to the skincare rituals she swears by, Sara shares her insider tips and favorite products. They also get personal, chatting about what it’s like to be a mom while navigating the oversaturated beauty world, balancing self-care with life’s demands, and staying true to your own style. Tune in for a candid, fun, and inspiring conversation that’s as real as it gets

Sara Tan is a beauty journalist, editor, host, and brand consultant with over 15 years of experience in beauty and lifestyle media. Based in Los Angeles, she is the co-host of the award-winning Gloss Angeles podcast and formerly served as Global Beauty Director at Refinery29. She regularly interviews celebrity founders, dermatologists, makeup artists, and industry leaders, and reports on the latest trends, news, and shifts shaping the beauty landscape. IG: @Saratan @GlossAngelesPod

https://www.glossangelespod.com/

Thank you, Cocokind, for being our Presenting Sponsor and helping AAGC tell these stories.

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> In this episode, beauty expert and longtime friend of AAGC, Sara Tan, sits down with Jenna and Kara for a deep dive into all things beauty. From the must-haves in her everyday bag to the skincare rituals she swears by, Sara shares her insider tips and favorite products. They also get personal, chatting about what it’s like to be a mom while navigating the oversaturated beauty world, balancing self-care with life’s demands, and staying true to your own style. Tune in for a candid, fun, and inspiring conversation that’s as real as it gets

Sara Tan is a beauty journalist, editor, host, and brand consultant with over 15 years of experience in beauty and lifestyle media. Based in Los Angeles, she is the co-host of the award-winning Gloss Angeles podcast and formerly served as Global Beauty Director at Refinery29. She regularly interviews celebrity founders, dermatologists, makeup artists, and industry leaders, and reports on the latest trends, news, and shifts shaping the beauty landscape. IG: @Saratan @GlossAngelesPod

https://www.glossangelespod.com/

Thank you, Cocokind, for being our Presenting Sponsor and helping AAGC tell these stories.

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Asian American Girl Club Buzzsprout-19015787 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 2778 full false Steph Suganami Steph Suganami In this episode, Stephanie Suganami joins Jenna and Kara for a thoughtful conversation about growing into her truest self. Steph reflects on what she dreamed of becoming as a child, being raised by a village of strong women, and how those early influences shaped her path. She dreams about her time as a go-go dancer in LA and she also opens up about protecting her peace, pursuing what genuinely fulfills her, and learning to live more fully in the present. This is a grounded and fun conversation about intention and choosing a life that feels aligned.

Stephanie Suganami is an actor and climate advocate currently starring in the Opus from A24, directed by Mark Anthony Green. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and hit theaters in March 2025.

Her additional credits include Amazon’s Something from Tiffany’s with Zoey Deutch and Shay Mitchell, produced by Hello Sunshine. She’ll next appear in the indie Theater Is Dead from Katherine Dudas and recently wrapped the Hulu pilot Group Chat alongside Kim Kardashian.

On TV, she recurred on Power Book II: Ghost opposite Michael Ealy, and beyond acting, she’s built a major digital following while advancing climate work with organizations including The Climate Reality Project, founded by Al Gore. IG: @steph_shep

https://lilluvdog.com

This Episode is brought to you by Cocokind. Thank you to our friends at Cocokind for helping our stories come to life.

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special Thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> In this episode, Stephanie Suganami joins Jenna and Kara for a thoughtful conversation about growing into her truest self. Steph reflects on what she dreamed of becoming as a child, being raised by a village of strong women, and how those early influences shaped her path. She dreams about her time as a go-go dancer in LA and she also opens up about protecting her peace, pursuing what genuinely fulfills her, and learning to live more fully in the present. This is a grounded and fun conversation about intention and choosing a life that feels aligned.

Stephanie Suganami is an actor and climate advocate currently starring in the Opus from A24, directed by Mark Anthony Green. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and hit theaters in March 2025.

Her additional credits include Amazon’s Something from Tiffany’s with Zoey Deutch and Shay Mitchell, produced by Hello Sunshine. She’ll next appear in the indie Theater Is Dead from Katherine Dudas and recently wrapped the Hulu pilot Group Chat alongside Kim Kardashian.

On TV, she recurred on Power Book II: Ghost opposite Michael Ealy, and beyond acting, she’s built a major digital following while advancing climate work with organizations including The Climate Reality Project, founded by Al Gore. IG: @steph_shep

https://lilluvdog.com

This Episode is brought to you by Cocokind. Thank you to our friends at Cocokind for helping our stories come to life.

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special Thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Asian American Girl Club Buzzsprout-18978222 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 3222 full false Kristi Yamaguchi Kristi Yamaguchi Thanks for listening to another episode of Undefinable: An AAGC Originals Podcast

In this episode, Kristi Yamaguchi joins Jenna and Kara for an inspiring conversation about her journey on and off the ice. Kristi reflects on the age she began taking skating seriously, the intense motivation that shaped her early years, and the unforgettable emotions of winning an Olympic gold medal. She also opens up about life after competition, including what it’s been like stepping into the role of a skating mom. This is a warm, reflective conversation about discipline, legacy, and how passion evolves across different seasons of life.

Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic gold medalist, world champion figure skater, author, and philanthropist. She made history at the 1992 Winter Olympics as the first Asian American to win gold in figure skating and is a two-time World Champion and U.S. National Champion. Kristi is a member of the U.S. Figure Skating, World Figure Skating, and U.S. Olympic Halls of Fame, and has been honored with the Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award and the Heisman Humanitarian Award for her impact beyond sport. Following a celebrated professional skating career, she also won Dancing With the Stars season 6 alongside partner Mark Ballas.

In 1996, Kristi founded Always Dream, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing early childhood literacy through family engagement in Northern California and Hawaiʻi. She is also a New York Times bestselling children’s book author, with titles including Dream Big, Little Pig!, It’s a Big World, Little Pig!, and Cara’s Kindness, continuing her lifelong commitment to inspiring confidence, kindness, and possibility in the next generation.

IG: @Kristiyamaguchi @alwaysdream

https://alwaysdream.org/

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Cocokind, for supporting Undefinable and always supporting AAGC.

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Thanks for listening to another episode of Undefinable: An AAGC Originals Podcast

In this episode, Kristi Yamaguchi joins Jenna and Kara for an inspiring conversation about her journey on and off the ice. Kristi reflects on the age she began taking skating seriously, the intense motivation that shaped her early years, and the unforgettable emotions of winning an Olympic gold medal. She also opens up about life after competition, including what it’s been like stepping into the role of a skating mom. This is a warm, reflective conversation about discipline, legacy, and how passion evolves across different seasons of life.

Kristi Yamaguchi is an Olympic gold medalist, world champion figure skater, author, and philanthropist. She made history at the 1992 Winter Olympics as the first Asian American to win gold in figure skating and is a two-time World Champion and U.S. National Champion. Kristi is a member of the U.S. Figure Skating, World Figure Skating, and U.S. Olympic Halls of Fame, and has been honored with the Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award and the Heisman Humanitarian Award for her impact beyond sport. Following a celebrated professional skating career, she also won Dancing With the Stars season 6 alongside partner Mark Ballas.

In 1996, Kristi founded Always Dream, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing early childhood literacy through family engagement in Northern California and Hawaiʻi. She is also a New York Times bestselling children’s book author, with titles including Dream Big, Little Pig!, It’s a Big World, Little Pig!, and Cara’s Kindness, continuing her lifelong commitment to inspiring confidence, kindness, and possibility in the next generation.

IG: @Kristiyamaguchi @alwaysdream

https://alwaysdream.org/

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Cocokind, for supporting Undefinable and always supporting AAGC.

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Asian American Girl Club Buzzsprout-18941354 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400 2722 full false Hayley Kiyoko Hayley Kiyoko In this episode, Hayley joins Jenna and Kara for an honest, fun, and heartfelt conversation about her New York Times bestselling novel Where There’s Room for Us, what it means to write queer love stories that center joy, and the meet-cute with her fiancée that feels straight out of a rom-com. She also opens up about stepping into the director’s chair for her feature film debut, her long-standing ties to AAGC, and how community has shaped every chapter of her career. This is a powerful conversation about love, creativity, and making space for yourself and others — you don’t want to miss it.

Hayley Kiyoko is a pop artist, actress, director, author, and LGBTQ+ advocate at the forefront of unapologetically queer storytelling. Best known for her music and roles in Lemonade Mouth and Insecure, her debut album EXPECTATIONS earned critical acclaim and launched a global career that includes millions of streams, sold-out tours, an MTV VMA, and a New York Times bestselling YA novel, Girls Like Girls. She now makes her feature film directing debut with Girls Like Girls and continues to champion authenticity across music, film, and storytelling. 
IG: @hayleykiyoko

LINK TO PURCHASE Where There’s Room For Us: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/where-theres-room-9781250356314/?laylo-fid=fe9534f867524cb5b3e5d9dabb69e6a5&laylo-pid=7a453419-9c61-4abc-bebd-3efeb77bac21

This episode is brought to you by Cocokind. Thank you to our friends at Cocokind for always supporting AAGC and helping us bring these stories to life. 

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang 

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special thanks to Oscar Alva



Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> In this episode, Hayley joins Jenna and Kara for an honest, fun, and heartfelt conversation about her New York Times bestselling novel Where There’s Room for Us, what it means to write queer love stories that center joy, and the meet-cute with her fiancée that feels straight out of a rom-com. She also opens up about stepping into the director’s chair for her feature film debut, her long-standing ties to AAGC, and how community has shaped every chapter of her career. This is a powerful conversation about love, creativity, and making space for yourself and others — you don’t want to miss it.

Hayley Kiyoko is a pop artist, actress, director, author, and LGBTQ+ advocate at the forefront of unapologetically queer storytelling. Best known for her music and roles in Lemonade Mouth and Insecure, her debut album EXPECTATIONS earned critical acclaim and launched a global career that includes millions of streams, sold-out tours, an MTV VMA, and a New York Times bestselling YA novel, Girls Like Girls. She now makes her feature film directing debut with Girls Like Girls and continues to champion authenticity across music, film, and storytelling. 
IG: @hayleykiyoko

LINK TO PURCHASE Where There’s Room For Us: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/where-theres-room-9781250356314/?laylo-fid=fe9534f867524cb5b3e5d9dabb69e6a5&laylo-pid=7a453419-9c61-4abc-bebd-3efeb77bac21

This episode is brought to you by Cocokind. Thank you to our friends at Cocokind for always supporting AAGC and helping us bring these stories to life. 

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang 

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special thanks to Oscar Alva



Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Asian American Girl Club Buzzsprout-18895436 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 2875 full false Welcome to Undefinable: Ally Maki Welcome to Undefinable: Ally Maki Welcome to the very first episode of Undefinable: An AAGC Originals Podcast. 

 In this premiere, hosts Jenna Ushkowitz and Kara Wang sit down with Asian American Girl Club Founder and CEO Ally Maki to talk about the journey that led to AAGC. Ally shares her path from being a self-described “club kid” to building a career in Hollywood, and the personal experiences that inspired her to create a space rooted in community, representation, and belonging.

Together, they explore the power of telling our own stories and set the tone for Undefinable: honest conversations, cultural reflection, and the next chapter of AAGC.

Ally Maki is a Japanese American actress, creator, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of Asian American Girl Club, where she leads its creative direction and expanding slate of podcasts and media initiatives amplifying Asian American voices.

Her work spans film, television, and voiceover, with standout roles in Seagrass, Shortcomings, Pixar’s Toy Story 4, Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, HBO Max’s Hacks, and Apple TV’s The Big Door Prize. IG: @allymaki

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang 

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Welcome to the very first episode of Undefinable: An AAGC Originals Podcast. 

 In this premiere, hosts Jenna Ushkowitz and Kara Wang sit down with Asian American Girl Club Founder and CEO Ally Maki to talk about the journey that led to AAGC. Ally shares her path from being a self-described “club kid” to building a career in Hollywood, and the personal experiences that inspired her to create a space rooted in community, representation, and belonging.

Together, they explore the power of telling our own stories and set the tone for Undefinable: honest conversations, cultural reflection, and the next chapter of AAGC.

Ally Maki is a Japanese American actress, creator, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of Asian American Girl Club, where she leads its creative direction and expanding slate of podcasts and media initiatives amplifying Asian American voices.

Her work spans film, television, and voiceover, with standout roles in Seagrass, Shortcomings, Pixar’s Toy Story 4, Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger, HBO Max’s Hacks, and Apple TV’s The Big Door Prize. IG: @allymaki

This is an AAGC Originals Podcast, brought to you by Asian American Girl Club.

Executive produced by Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn and Kara Wang 

Intro Music (OMG) by Gloria Kim

Edited by Jacob Ho

Special thanks to Oscar Alva

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Asian American Girl Club Buzzsprout-18857642 Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400 3288 full false Trailer Trailer Undefinable takes listeners inside the Asian American Girl Club world and beyond, where trailblazing stories meet community voices. Hosted by Jenna Ushkowitz (GLEE) and Kara Wang (GOOD TROUBLE), each episode brings together honest, meaningful conversations with the AAGC team and a rotating lineup of trailblazing guests. CEO and Founder Ally Maki also joins at times to dive deeper into the stories that matter. Conversations range from lighthearted and fun to emotional and inspiring, always creating space for connection with listeners. With the AAGC Hotline bringing in real questions, hot takes, and heartfelt reflections, these conversations celebrate the stories that shape culture and community.

For Asian American Girl Club, inc for AAGC Originals Executive Producers: Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn, Kara Wang.

Intro music by Gloria Kim

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Undefinable takes listeners inside the Asian American Girl Club world and beyond, where trailblazing stories meet community voices. Hosted by Jenna Ushkowitz (GLEE) and Kara Wang (GOOD TROUBLE), each episode brings together honest, meaningful conversations with the AAGC team and a rotating lineup of trailblazing guests. CEO and Founder Ally Maki also joins at times to dive deeper into the stories that matter. Conversations range from lighthearted and fun to emotional and inspiring, always creating space for connection with listeners. With the AAGC Hotline bringing in real questions, hot takes, and heartfelt reflections, these conversations celebrate the stories that shape culture and community.

For Asian American Girl Club, inc for AAGC Originals Executive Producers: Ally Maki, Jenna Ushkowitz, Tia Samn, Kara Wang.

Intro music by Gloria Kim

Visit www.asianamericangirlclub.com
@Asianamericangirlclub

]]> Jenna Buzzsprout-18065406 Thu, 23 Oct 2025 16:00:00 -0400 219 1 1 full false