Ten Thousand Things with Shin Yu Pai

Deck of Cards 03.06.2026 31p

As a Filipina American woman, Maritess Zurbano didn’t have it easy making her way through the Las Vegas magic circuit. For decades, as she honed her skills, she endured the racism and sexism that were often treated as normal facets of the magic scene. At first, she stomached it. But now, she’s breaking free. She may be a master at sleight of hand, but mastering assimilation? That’s a magic trick she’s no longer interested in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Translation 27.05.2026 32p

Poet and translator Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma first picked up Juan Rulfo’s book, Pedro Páramo, while learning Spanish in Oaxaca, Mexico. The novel–which tells the story of the living and the dead speaking across time–became something he turned to again and again. But when he searched for an English translation, he discovered that while the plot remained, the spirit of the language felt lost. Through memories of his great-grandmother, the mentors that shaped him, and more than 20 years spent translating the novel, Thomas reflects on what it means to carry another person’s voice without distorting it. Even if the work itself may never be published. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meal Card 20.05.2026 23p

Putsata Reang was 11 months old when her family escaped Cambodia on a boat in 1975. When they arrived in San Diego after 23 days at sea, each member of her family was given a meal card at Camp Pendleton. More than a ticket to three free meals a day, it was a ticket to prosperity in America. But the American dream has a downside, where accepting help can be seen as an accrual of debt. Now as an adult, Putsata is reckoning with this sense of indebtedness, and finding a sense of agency after years of shaving off pieces of herself in order to assimilate.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Magic Mushroom 13.05.2026 30p

As a child growing up on Cape Cod, Amy Wong Hope learned to assimilate, stay useful, and avoid being seen. Years later after grief, burnout, and a major career shift, a single chocolate mushroom becomes the catalyst for an unexpected journey into ancestry, identity, and psychedelic education. But in a moment where Asian culture has become trendy and consumable online, Amy confronts what assimilation buried and asks what it truly means to reclaim her heritage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Gourd 06.05.2026 26p

After years of experimenting with all kinds of mediums and materials, Korean-American artist Rob Rhee found his calling in bricolage—a practice of artmaking that uses whatever's at hand. And what proved to be at hand… were gourds. In working with gourds, Rob trains his living plants with new routines, giving birth to fantastic new forms never before imagined—just as so many children of immigrants, faced with narrative scarcity, shape their own ways of being from otherwise incoherent fragments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coming Soon: Season 5 of Ten Thousand Things 22.04.2026 2p

Ten Thousand Things is back for its fifth and final season. Shin Yu talks to artists, authors, a magician, and a psychedelic educator about the objects that help them reclaim and redefine identity, in all its complexities. New episodes start May 6.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus: The Musical Castle 07.01.2026 40p

The season one finale of Field Notes explores the life and legacy of Seattle music producer Gary Mula and the musical castle he built at The Dutchman Studios. The podcast features archival interview recordings with Mula where he recalls how The Dutchman became a diverse, welcoming mecca for various genres, from grunge to early hip-hop. Ultimately, this episode celebrates Mula's unwavering, community-driven spirit as reflected in his final project, The Rabbit Box, which continues his commitment to providing uncompromising artistic space.This episode is hosted by Tony Williams and features guest Shin Yu Pai.Curated HistoryLInk article set for this episode includes:The Dutchman (Seattle) by Shin Yu PaiRock Music - Seattle by Clark HumphreyWomen of Northwest Rock: The First 50 Years (1957-2007) by Peter BlechaAdditional HistoryLink resources for this episode:Crocodile Cafe: Seattle's Icon of the Grunge Rock Era by Peter BlechaCobain, Kurt (1967-1994) by Peter BlechaKurt Cobain posts a "Drummer Wanted" classified advertisement in Seattle's The Rocket on May 1, 1988. by Peter BlechaNirvana debuts brand-new grunge-rock anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at Seattle's OK Hotel all-ages club on April 17, 1991 by Peter BlechaCentral Tavern and Saloon (Seattle) by Peter BlechaSeattle's "underground" hip-hop scene breaks out with big Exhibition Hall gig on August 17, 1984 by Peter BlechaKJR Radio (Seattle) by Peter BlechaFor more from Shin Yu Pai check out:https://shinyupai.com/Ten Thousand Things PodcastTrack List for This EpisodeGary Mula – Maraca’s CL (2002?)Gary Mula – Don’t Mind (2002)Thrust – What Do I Have To Do (1978)Thrust –  Bombs Away (1978)Dumb Thumbs – Nothing Ever Lasts (2020)Nirvana – Blew (1989)Common Language – Cover Me (1989)Playerz on Wax – Down with P.O.W. (1991)Amateur Boyfriend – Deceiving (2004)Gary Mula – She’s The One (1998)Muckner – You Think You Know (2004)Gary Mula – Smoke Stack (2002)To visit The Rabbit BoxThe Rabbit BoxFor more Field Notes episodes and other HistoryLink podcasts visit the:HistoryLink.org Podcast Page Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus: They Call Us Gold Star Trophy 23.07.2025 1ó 10p

Hosts of They Call Us Bruce, Jeff and Phil, welcome back Shin Yu Pai to talk about the latest season of 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; finding healing and reinvention in the wake of professional setbacks; and The Good, The Bad, and The WTF of going independent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Archives 17.06.2025 21p

Earlier this year, author Amy Tan sold her personal archives — 62 boxes worth — to the University of California, Berkeley. When Shin Yu heard the news, she knew she wanted to hear Amy’s thoughts on literary legacy and the stuff she was stashing in her garage. What were the most important things to her to preserve? How did she deal with the discomfort of excavating decades of emotional memory to finally allow herself to let go of control? And what does it mean to her that she’ll be studied by scholars and students, and legions of fans who may be searching for the real Amy Tan? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Diagnosis 10.06.2025 32p

When award-winning journalist Stephanie Foo was diagnosed with Complex PTSD, the information she found felt cold and clinical. What she needed was something warmer–more human. So she took her diagnosis into her own hands…literally. In this episode, Stephanie and Shin Yu trace a path to healing; from childhood trauma to the power of first-person storytelling. Along the way, they explore what it truly means to be seen, and how telling your story can help you, and others, survive it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ganges Water 03.06.2025 25p

The Ganges is a sacred river in India that supports one of the most fertile and densely populated regions on the planet and serves as a site of daily ablutions and funerary rites. When Serena Chopra travelled to India on a Fulbright fellowship, she collected a jar of water from the Ganges to help her stay connected to her ancestral homeland — while learning about her family history, intergenerational trauma, and imagining what liberation can look like. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Perfect Dress 27.05.2025 25p

We all have that one item of clothing hanging in our closet, the one that we keep around for the moment when we’ve shed that extra 15 pounds. For Susan Lieu’s mom, that garment was a traditional Vietnamese dress called an ao dai. And when it became too snug, she set out on a path that rewrote her family’s story, all in search of the perfect body. Now, decades later, Susan takes host Shin Yu Pai along on her own journey of self-love, revenge, and reclamation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gold Star Trophy 20.05.2025 32p

When Yowei Shaw was laid off from her job, it felt less like a career shift and more like a breakup — one that unraveled her sense of identity and purpose. In this episode, Yowei and host Shin Yu Pai explore the emotional toll of job loss and the rituals we invent to heal – from fried chicken to gold trophies. Along the way, they chart a path through grief toward reinvention, while exploring the power of reclaiming your story.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Coming Soon: Season 4 of Ten Thousand Things 06.05.2025 2p

Ten Thousand Things is back for another season, now with Wonder Media Network. This season is about the objects that help us move forward — like a traditional Vietnamese dress, a jar of water from the Ganges River, and a gold trophy. New episodes start May 20th.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Note from Shin Yu 06.03.2025 1p

A lot is changing for Ten Thousand Things. After three years with KUOW Public Radio, the podcast is now being produced by Wonder Media Network. New episodes begin in May. In the meantime, you can visit the museum exhibit based on the podcast at The Wing Luke Museum in Seattle. The show opens March 7th and is on display until 2027. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inheriting (Special Episode) 02.07.2024 46p

This is an episode from a podcast called Inheriting from our friends at LAist Studios and the NPR Network. Hosted by NPR's Emily Kwong. Inheriting is a show about Asian American and Pacific Islander families, exploring how a single event can ripple through generations. Bảo Trương’s parents both fled Vietnam in 1975 following the war. His father Thuận was a pilot for the South Vietnamese Air Force and left the day before the Fall of Saigon, evacuating almost 100 people to Thailand on a plane. Thuận has now been settled in the U.S. for decades, but he still writes songs mourning the Vietnam of his childhood – a country that, to him, no longer exists because it is still under a communist government. On the flipside, his son Bảo wants to live in the Vietnam of today, a yearning his father doesn’t understand. In this episode, the father and son sit down for a frank conversation about the country they both long for, in different ways. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

East Kong Yick Building 18.06.2024 24p

The E. Kong Yick building houses the only pan-Asian Pacific American community-based museum in the country, The Wing Luke Museum. And it’s an anchor in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District. The Wing began in an old mechanic’s garage, exhibiting old folk-art relics from Asia. This episode tells the story of how The Wing transformed from a traditional museum into a BIPOC-owned building, community, and movement … and how people responded when it was threatened. *** This episode of Ten Thousand Things is about the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle. It was recorded before 26 members of its 52-person staff walked out on May 22nd, in protest of a new exhibition entitled “Confronting Hate Together.” Staff returned May 29 and leadership continues to work to resolve the dispute. As of June 18, the museum is operating with limited hours. As you’re about to hear, The Wing is a beloved Seattle institution that has been no stranger to turmoil and disruption. Regardless, its strong relationship to the community has allowed it to grow and thrive. If you want to learn more: Wing Luke exhibit shows how Black, Asian, and Jewish Seattleites confront hate together With 'heart, sensitivity, and delicacy,' Wing Luke Museum plans to re-open after staff walkout Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum closed after staff say exhibit 'frames Palestinian liberation' as antisemitism Ten Thousand Things is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Ben Noble, Christopher Wohrle, From Somewhere Quiet. And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by donating to KUOW.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Loquat Tree 11.06.2024 15p

Some trees are just special. One tree in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District has reached legendary status. The loquat tree is an artifact of the Engs, a pioneer Chinese-American family who planted the fruit seed in their front yard. The tree has thrived for over 60 years, nourishing the family and the community. Now, it stands as a legacy tree in the C-ID, accessible to a new generation and the tree’s arboreal descendants grow all over the city, forming their own non-human diaspora. Ten Thousand Things is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Ben Noble, Christopher Wohrle, From Somewhere Quiet. And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by donating to KUOW.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ube Cheesecake 04.06.2024 16p

This is the sweet story of a viral and photogenic ube cheesecake. To many Filipino-Americans, ube is not a trend. It’s a staple. Yet here in the United States, it was known for decades as an ethnic specialty ingredient. That is, until Chera Amlag got her hands on it and made it the star of her Hood Famous cheesecake. When Chera’s homemade ube cheesecake became a culinary phenomenon, ube was transformed. Chera’s cheesecake put Filipino culture and identity in the spotlight through her imaginative use of ube. And her collaborative approach has strengthened the Filipino-American community. Ten Thousand Things is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Young Collective, Olive James, Sonny Oh, N. Kerbin. And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by donating to KUOW.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tatung Cooker 28.05.2024 22p

When Tiffany Ran left for college, her mom gifted her a Tatung cooker. The Tatung is a unique kitchen appliance that would be familiar to anyone with ties to Taiwan. Everyone uses it slightly differently, as its versatility is passed down by word of mouth. Tiffany’s Tatung has accompanied her throughout the chapters of her unfolding adulthood. It has offered nourishment and comfort to her through the years, from broths to rice to Eggo waffles (not recommended). And it is the foundation of her burgeoning culinary career. Ten Thousand Things is produced by KUOW in Seattle. Our host, writer, and creator is Shin Yu Pai. Whitney Henry-Lester produced this episode. Jim Gates is our editor. Tomo Nakayama wrote our theme music. Additional music in this episode by Young Collective, Jonny Southard, N. Kerbin. And of course, we don't exist without listeners like you. Support Ten Thousand Things by donating to KUOW.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.