You heard it here first!
Kia ora
Long time no update! It has been a few months since the season finale with Amita Kala dropped and I’ve been enjoying having a proper break from the podcast. During this period I had a lovely conversation with Celeste Ng on stage at Auckland Writer’s Festival and spoke about it on RNZ, have been adjusting to Invisalign (ouch), and recently returned from a dreamy week in Samoa. I also have had some lightbulb moments while listening to The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. This book wasn’t on my tbr and I didn’t know much about it but for some reason, was called to give it a listen. Have you ever come across something (i.e. you read, watch, or listen to something) and the timing of it all just be oddly… very right? That’s how I feel about the way I’ve experienced this book - and it was first published in 1992!
Anyway, the news you are hearing here first is that there will be a new season of Asian in Aotearoa launching later this year. 🎉 I’m pumped and grateful to have the opportunity to create a third season. The podcast kaupapa of going deeper with Asian creatives remains the same and after 49 episodes topped with a good rest period, I’ve gained some much-needed clarity about this project as a whole. (Improvement ideas are cooking!)
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be planning what I’m hoping will be the best season yet but in the meantime, if you’re in need of some creative recovery why don’t you read (or listen to) The Artist’s Way. I’m very curious to hear how people find it and am fairly certain this book will come up during the new season.
Stick around. Good things are on the way!
Noho ora mai
Jenna
PS if you haven’t listened to the season finale with Amita yet, you can do so here and wherever you usually get your podcasts.
🎭 A SHORT HISTORY OF ASIAN NEW ZEALAND THEATRE 🎭
I’ve said before that Nathan Joe could shit on paper and I’d want to read it. Well, next week at Basement, shit is going down shall we say. A Short History of Asian New Zealand Theatre stars a different Asian artist each night and it says this is “performance essay meets spin class”. More info here and get your tickets! 🎟️
💡 Steven Junil Park and our relationship with clothing 💡
Earlier this year, I was giving Steven a ride into town and he was talking to me about clothes and honestly I wish I recorded the conversation because I could listen to him talk connection and clothing forever. I don’t know anyone who speaks about connection, clothing and body quite like him - AND I’LL EAT IT UP EVERYTIME! I so enjoy marvelling at the things he creates and posts on Instagram too. Like, REALLY?! Is there nothing you can’t create? A vase? Earrings? Shoes? Lightshades? Honestly.
Anyway, you can read some of Steven’s takes in this Spinoff piece.
Find the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all good pod places or visit asianinaotearoa.com.