florida / Sifu Mimi Chan

103. Anna Eskamani on Planned Parenthood and affordable housing in Florida

Representative Anna V. Eskamani is an Orlando native and daughter of Iranian immigrants. the first Iranian-American to serve in the Florida Legislature. She has been a lifelong community builder and was elected to serve the great people of Florida State House District 47 on November 6, 2018.

Chinese New Year: Performing kung fu at 40+

This year, I decided to ‘come out of retirement’. O and I have been hosting Forty Fit-fu on Facebook Live each week, so we wanted to show everyone you can still attempt to perform at 40+.

97. Happy Chinese New Year of the Pig!

What does New Year mean to you? As I wrote in previous blogs, the New Year doesn’t start for me until Chinese New Year. Chinese, or Lunar New Year, is always filled with firecrackers, loud drums, kung fu, and lion dancing.

94. Jules De Jesus Fritz, celebrity makeup artist on positivity

Today I chat with Jules De Jesus Fritz about her journey of becoming a celebrity makeup artist to discovering her inner calling of helping others. She has worked with celebrities like Paula Dean, and developed her own line of makeup. Overcoming life threatening health issues, her story will inspire you to stay positive and dare to dream. While Jules is still involved in her makeup business, she now has found a calling in public speaking and inspiring others who need to find their inner strength and peace.

91. Tommy Tam on murals and graffiti street art

Tommy Tam is an incredible muralist that has been painting the wall at the Wah Lum Temple. We have named it “The Great Wall of Wah Lum”. He is incredibly talented and chooses the tool of spray can over paintbrush. We chat all about graffiti, street art, and murals.

82. Jeff Prystajko on Come Out With Pride Orlando

Jeff Prystajko is a highly engaged member of both Orlando’s tech and LGBTQ nonprofit communities. As the current board president and former director of marketing for Come Out With Pride Orlando, one of the largest annual pride celebrations in Florida, Jeff leads a volunteer-based team to organize and execute the biggest single-day parade and festival in the city. He is passionate about giving back to the community as well as encouraging activism in others.

73. Sheriff Jerry Demings on his vision as Orange County Mayor

Today I talk with Sheriff Jerry Demings on his vision for Orlando as he runs for Orange County Mayor. I appreciated his thoughts on immigration, diversity, sustainability, and affordable housing. As you know, I have been a little politically charged of late. I feel it is our job to demand more of our public officials and I am hopeful that the changes and policies that Sheriff Demings envisions will become a reality for us here in Orange County, Florida. I encourage you to listen openly and leave a comment. No matter what, register to vote and be involved! I endorse Sheriff Demings for Mayor and hope after hearing his vision for Orange County, you will too.

61. Julio Ricardo Varela on Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria, and Tostones

Today I sit down with Julio Ricardo Varela (cohost In the Thick, LatinoUSA) to discuss the devastation after Hurricane Maria that still plagues the island today. We also go deeper into the underlying problems that the island has faced for decades. Julio hopes that the attention Hurricane Maria has brought to Puerto Rico will result in real action and changes being made that are long overdue. We also talk tostones and dominoes, so listen on as we delve into the culture of Puerto Rico.

56. Rowena Norman of Feeding America

Rowena Norman is a Director of New Corporate Partnerships for Feeding America. She initiates authentic and meaningful partnerships with Fortune 500 companies. She loves utilizing her strong consultative fundraising, relationship management, and negotiation skills to forge innovative partnerships and make a difference every day. I enjoyed talking to Rowena about Feeding America, and the growing issue of hunger that faces so many in the US today. I was surprised to learn about how many people are hungry in the US today, and that many of the kids in school or people we interact with on a daily basis are food insecure. I love learning, and am grateful for the opportunity to constantly have my eyes opened through these interviews. Warning: Rowena’s passion and enthusiasm for her work is contagious, so be prepared to feel inspired to make a difference after listening to this podcast.

55. Teens on why they Walkout

On March 14, 2018, one month after the shooting in Parkland, FL, over 3000 Walkouts took place around the world. For 17 minutes students walked out of their classrooms to honor the 17 lives that were lost in the brutal shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

38.Robin Maynard on breast cancer awareness

In honor of Pink October, I am interview amazing breast cancer awareness advocates and survivors. Robin Maynard has served the citizens of Orange County as a Paramedic and Crime Scene Investigator since 1995. After the loss of her Mom Libby to breast cancer in 2006, Robin knew saving lives would take on a whole new path and with that, Libby’s Legacy was formed in 2007. Robin worked full time as a CSI while running the foundation until 2009 when she cashed in her 401K and left her career to dedicate herself to this foundation in her Mother’s honor and memory. Robin is a passionate advocate who is committed to ensuring every woman gets the breast health care and treatment they need to live a long and full life. I enjoyed meeting Robin and truly believe in the work she is doing. I am inspired after listening to Robin’s story and motivated by her passion and devotion to the cause.

30. Commissioner Patty Sheehan on Pulse shooting, Orlando culture, and women in politics

Love is love. It was so incredible to sit down with Commissioner Patty Sheehan after the one-year memorial of the horrible Pulse Shooting in Orlando. Commissioner Sheehan was on the ground and in the streets helping victims’ families in the wake up the shooting, but even one year later is still comforting the families, fundraising for them, and honoring the memory of their loved ones. I was honored the Commissioner fit me into her busy schedule to discuss her life in politics these past 17 years. As the first openly-gay elected official in Central Florida, she has worked to pass non-discrimination protections and Domestic Partnership legislation for the LGBTQ community. She also shared the challenges she has faced being both openly gay and a woman in politics. I loved sitting with Patty in her office as I was surrounded by colorful art, rainbow flags, Wonder Woman figurines, and the reminder that love is love.