Conversations With Your Chinese Auntie

Building Deep Connections: Insights from Dinner with Strangers Founder Jess Janz

In this Conversations with Your Chinese Auntie episode, my guest is Jess Janz. Jess is a writer, community facilitator, and founder of Dinner with Strangers. Jess shares her journey from working in a band and restaurants to starting Dinner with Strangers in 2017. The conversation covers her challenges, like being an introvert in a social role, and the successes of her community-building project. They also discuss Jess's new ventures like 'Single with Strangers' and an upcoming book 'The Table Where We Meet', which reflects on her experiences and insights into fostering deep connections.
Bio:
Jess Janz is a writer, community facilitator, and the creator of Dinner With Strangers, which brings people from different walks of life to share their stories over a meal - all while omitting what anyone does for work. Her work examines identity, connection, and what binds us all together.
Jess has hosted events for Wealthsimple, lululemon, Altea Active Club, The W Hotel, Staub, and Writers Collective of Canada, and runs monthly writing workshops and Poetry Club for her writing community of over 70k people. Her forthcoming book, 'The Table Where We Meet,' will be published by Source Books in March 2026. 
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Jess's Linktree & Website
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Exploring the Depths of Friendship: Insights and Stories with Anna Jinja Mather, Lara Therrien Boulos, Luna Aixin & Sarah Whitehead

This episode delves into the challenges and strategies of making and maintaining solid friendships. My dear friends Anna, Lara, Luna, and Sarah join me to discuss their personal experiences of making and maintaining friendships across different stages of life. The discussion covers how to find friends, the importance of community, navigating friendship breakups, and unique perspectives on what it means to be a friend.
From touching on collectivist vs. individualist cultures to the challenges posed by modern life, this candid conversation offers thoughtful insights into building and sustaining meaningful connections. 
Bio:
Anna Jinja Mather was adopted from Seoul, Korea, and grew up in Iowa. Her heart is filled with love for people and their stories. By sharing her adoption story and all that she is learning to help her navigate through personal and professional challenges, she hopes that this will lead us to believe, accept, and value the inherentworthiness of all people. She has dedicated her life to a number of nonprofit organizations and causes as a volunteer or employee, which has led to a myriad of unexpected opportunities and adventures – including stepping into the role of a radio producer and host at KHOI 89.1 FM.
 
Anna's Website
 
Lara Therrien Boulos is a community planner, facilitator, gardener, writer, witch, and artist of Egyptian and French-Canadian ancestry. She weaves all these threads of her life through her creative and spiritual practices and her animist orientation toward the world. She's also a cat lover and a Virgo.
Luna Aixin 月愛心 (They/them/their) is a multiracial, non-binary, neurodivergent, disabled settler, community planner, facilitator and artist with ties to Southeast Asia, specifically Nusantara cultures and Pacific Islanders. As a neurodivergent person, Luna loves multimodal ways of creative expression and experiences the joy of witnessing others “play with imagination” on “very serious matters.” They work with local governments, non-profits, community organizations and personal projects through GaGiNang Productions (自己人创作) on ways to create equitable, just and safe systems and practises that can better serve our communities.
Luna's website
Sarah Whitehead (she/they) is a communication professional, writer, mom, and potter. She has over 20 years of experience in education and communication, including training and research effective communication, media literacy, and message management. Sarah recently left corporate life to focus on writing and her pottery business. Her writing focuses on current issues in interpersonal communication, media literacy and education and can be found on substack starting in March 2025.
Her pottery can be found at www.rustedwheelpottery.com
 
Patricia Petersen
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Dim Sum & Life: Finding Ground amidst the Noise

In this episode of the Conversations with Your Chinese Auntie Podcast, I share my thoughts on the importance of community and mindfulness in a busy world. I draw a vivid parallel between the bustling atmosphere of a dim sum restaurant and the distractions in our lives. Through this analogy, I explore how we can stay grounded and present amidst chaos by building connections, practicing mindfulness, and caring for our physical, mental, and spiritual health.
I also describe various dim sum dishes and encourage listeners to experience them with loved ones. I hope you enjoy the podcast. 
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Navigating Grief and Death with Andrea Sexton Dumas

In this episode of 'Conversations with Your Chinese Auntie,' I, your Chinese Auntie, engage in a heartfelt conversation with Andrea Sexton Dumas, an end-of-life doula and grief gardener. We discuss Andrea's profound work with grief and death, her background and upbringing, and the emotional intricacies of tending to those at the end of life.
The episode explores themes of self-worth, internet presence, ancestral connection, the need for community, and how people deal with grief and mortality. It's a reflective and insightful discussion that sheds light on embracing life, death, and the spaces in between.
Andrea's Bio:
Andrea Sexton Dumas (she/her) is her grandmother's child. She's an end-of-life doula, grief gardener, lifelong storyteller, and certified clinical hypnotherapist. Her podcast, Recipes for Grief: Heartfelt Storytelling for Feel-y Foodies, examines the relationship between loss and nourishment. 
 
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In this episode, Andrea talks about Carmen's Joy Book. Check out Carmen's Numinous Network to learn more. 
 
Timeline:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:30 Meet Andrea Sexton Dumas
01:24 The Joybook Experience
02:29 Navigating the Internet and Self-Worth
03:54 The Struggle with Online Presence
05:25 Personal Reflections on Social Media
09:04 Andrea's Background and Ancestry
09:38 Understanding the Role of a Grief Gardener
22:30 End of Life Doula Explained
35:38 Cultural Perspectives on Death and Grief
44:22 Navigating Life's Challenges
45:52 Connecting with Ancestry
48:24 The Importance of Grief
53:09 Friendships and Emotional Support
01:06:23 Legacy and Remembrance
01:11:33 Self-Care and Nourishment
01:20:20 Conclusion and Farewell

Interview with Misako Rocks: A Journey from Japan to Manga Fame

In this Conversations with Your Chinese Auntie episode, I speak with Misako Rocks. Misako is a Japanese manga artist who shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Japan to becoming a published manga author in the United States. The conversation covers Misako's childhood, her determination to move to America, and her struggles and triumphs in the manga industry. Misako also discusses the cultural nuances of language and her passion for teaching manga to children. The episode delves into Misako's dreams of expanding her manga series and her aspirations for an anime adaptation.
Bio:
Misako is a Japanese manga artist who’s published a number of books all over the world. Her manga graphic novels Bounce Back and No Such Thing as Perfect. Bounce Back was selected to be on the 2021 Best Graphic Novels For Children list by the American Library Association. She also released a new activity book series, How To Draw Kawaii Manga with Misako Rocks to show bubbly and kawaii manga character/fashion making. 
Misako's new graphic novel Sew Totally Nala(Bounce Back Vol.3) is set to be released by Feiwel and Friends in the fall of 2025.
Misako has been featured on the BBC and NHK  documentary about her comic book life. She was featured on the NBC TODAY show and collaborated with Playstation to promote Ghostwire: Tokyo.
Besides making books, she teaches online manga classes for kids through my online community, Learn Manga with Misako. www.learnmangawithmisako.com 
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Timeline:
00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:51 Introducing Misako: A Japanese Manga Artist 01:20 Learning Languages and Cultural Differences 11:26 Growing Up in Japan 19:48 Journey to America 24:07 Diving into Manga 24:56 Discovering Manga and Early Aspirations 25:43 Pursuing a Manga Career in New York 27:33 Challenges in the Publishing World 30:55 Transition to Teaching Manga 33:57 Inspiration from Students 36:08 Achieving Success and Future Dreams 38:37 Family Influence and Personal Determination 41:00 Balancing Career and Personal Life 41:40 Future Aspirations and Closing Thoughts

Embracing Identity and Community: A Conversation with Anna Jinja Mather

In this episode of the 'Conversations with Your Chinese Auntie podcast, I talk with Anna Jinja, an adoptee from Seoul, Korea, who grew up in Iowa. Anna also hosts her own podcast focusing on adoption and foster care stories, and has recently published her debut novel, 'Adopting Grace'.
We discuss Anna's experiences with adoption, her journey towards self-acceptance, and the importance of community. The conversation also touches on the complexities of identity and belonging and the transformative power of art and storytelling. 
Bio:
Anna Jinja Mather was adopted from Seoul, Korea, and grew up in Iowa. Her heart is filled with love for people and their stories. By sharing her adoption story and all that she is learning to help her navigate through personal and professional challenges, she hopes that this will lead us to believe, accept, and value the inherentworthiness of all people. She has dedicated her life to a number of nonprofit organizations and causes as a volunteer or employee, which has led to a myriad of unexpected opportunities and adventures – including stepping into the role of a radio producer and host at KHOI 89.1 FM.
 
Anna's Website
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Buy Adopting Grace

Season 3! Navigating the Year of the Wood Snake: Feng Shui Insights and Lunar New Year Traditions

In this episode of 'Conversations with the Chinese on Auntie,' host Patricia Petersen discusses the upcoming Year of the Wood Snake and shares detailed Feng Shui insights. She highlights the significance of balancing the elements amid predicted tumultuousness, including tips on incorporating metal, fire, and earth elements into everyday life. Patricia also reminisces about cherished Lunar New Year traditions from her upbringing in Singapore, providing practical advice for preparing homes and kitchens for the festivities. The episode is a heartfelt blend of cultural wisdom, personal anecdotes, and useful Feng Shui tips to help listeners welcome the Lunar New Year with abundance and balance.
 

Exploring Ancestry, Identity, and Financial Empowerment with Stella Gold

In this episode, I welcome Stella Gold. Stella shares their unique cultural background, and they talk about their recent trip to the Philippines, which was an emotional journey of reconnecting with their heritage. Stella also discusses their career journey, from salary negotiation and financial literacy to becoming a rebirth and wealth coach. They delve into the emotional side of finances, the impact of capitalism, and the importance of community and mutual aid. 
Bio:
Stella Gold (they/them) is a Rebirth + Wealth Coach for changemakers and comes from a lineage of activists. Their ancestors are filipinx, romanian jewish, scottish, irish, chinese, italian, iranian, french, german, british, and likely so much more. They are the founder of My Gold Standard, a believer in wealth activism, pro liberation from all oppressive systems, and collective care. They hold values and beliefs in abolitionism, anarchism, decolonization, collective and ancestral liberation, and leftism. My Gold Standard's work is a blend of wealth and business coaching from a decolonial anticapitalist lens, grief and death work, and spirituality. What they are truly about is resourcing ourselves & the collective in creating a more just and liberated world, and rebirthing a new way forward.
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Exploring Creative Paths: An Interview with Author Katrina Kwan

In this episode of the Conversations With Your Chinese Auntie podcast, I chat with Vancouver-based fantasy and romance author Katrina Kwan. Katrina shares her journey to becoming a successful romance ghostwriter and debut author. We discuss her new book, The Last Dragon of the East, set to launch on October 8th and delve into her creative process, the challenges of exploring family history, and the support she's received along the way. Katrina also offers aspiring writers insights and advice, sharing her technical tips and personal experiences.
Katrina's Website
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Exploring Personal Growth, Astrology, and Community with Elyse Preston

In this episode of 'Conversations with Your Chinese Auntie,' I am joined by spiritual and transformational coach Elyse Preston. 
We discuss various topics, including astrology, human design, and the importance of creativity and community in personal growth. Elyse shares her journey from studying political science to working in the nonprofit sector. She eventually became a community builder and coach focused on providing tools and resources for ambitious, heart-centred, and sensitive individuals. We delve into how understanding one's astrological chart and human design can enhance self-awareness and improve relationships.
 
Bio:
Elyse is a Spiritual and Transformational Coach and Community Builder. She guides leaders, creatives and changemakers to remember their soul mission and find the courage to pursue it so that they can increase their well-being and social impact. Elyse is a student of Human Design, Astrology, Yoga and Mindfulness. She is obsessed with systems that help us understand our soul essence, energy system and unique frequency. Elyse is a community builder, and she loves exploring how to build nourishing relationships that are built on care, mutuality and reciprocity — beyond what is taught in the dominant culture.
Learn more about Elyse on her website, www.elysepreston.com, and on Instagram @iamelysepreston