We are erasing shame through honest talk for healthy living—emotionally, mentally, spiritually, relationally, and personally, so Asian Americans and non-Asians alike can go from merely surviving to growing and thriving.
In September 2022, Erasing Shame turned a new chapter to focus on encouraging Christian Asian mental health, seeing how many other great podcasts are addressing mental health for Asian Americans.
In previous seasons of Erasing Shame, we covered many different aspects and dimensions of shame. Our conversations aimed to help people take steps towards healthy living and becoming more whole. Read this brief history of our past 5 seasons.
Plus, we produced a special series—erasing shame about mental health in Asian American communities—premiered in the summer of 2018.
Here’s Where You Come In
We are erasing shame together. We’re in this together and we need you to partner with us—by subscribing, sharing, and supporting. We can do so much more together.
The Erasing Shame podcast is the digital outreach of Christian Asian Mental Health. Your partnership in this work will empower more people in our Asian American communities to experience compassion and care through the challenges of life. Donate online.
Podcast Co-Hosts
DJ Chuang is currently working as an internet engineer and lives in Orange County, California and he is an Asian American of Chinese descent. He has personally experienced how shame-based cultures can hold people back from human flourishing and healthy living. He is long-time blogger at djchuang.com.
Season 8 Co-Host
Aggie Park
By the grace of Jesus, i am who i am today—but i spent most of my life being who others expected me to be.
Born in Indonesia, raised in Germany, and now living in the U.S., i grew up in a world where obedience was survival, fear was the norm, emotions were weakness, and shame was a way of life. My childhood was marked by physical and emotional abuse, but in my culture, you didn’t question it. You didn’t heal from it. You buried it, smiled, and performed. That’s what i did. i became who others wanted me to be. i excelled in the false version of me. i obeyed. And i suffered in silence.
But Jesus.
He stepped into my story, into my deepest wounds, and into the places i thought were too broken to fix. He’s been peeling back the layers, showing me who He created me to be—not who culture, family, or past trauma tried to mold me into. And i’ve decided: i will no longer live for the approval of those who don’t have the final say over me. Jesus does.
That’s why i’m here. That’s why i care so deeply about healing—the kind that doesn’t just make the pain tolerable but actually sets you free. i know what it’s like to live in a prison of silence, and i also know the power of a Savior who breaks every chain. No heart is too shattered. No story is too far gone. And my prayer for this podcast is that as we get raw and real, you, too, will step into the healing and freedom that Jesus already purchased for you on the cross.
Beyond the mic, i’m a marathon runner (yes, i voluntarily run 26.2 miles for fun—runners understand, lol!), a boba addict, and an unapologetic lover of all things pink, glittery, and extra. i’ve walked the runways of pageants, modeled in front of cameras, and dabbled in the music world—but none of that compares to the joy of knowing Jesus and sharing His redeeming love.
So let’s talk. Let’s shatter the silence. Let’s confront the shame. And let’s step into the fullness of who Jesus created us to be—because you were never meant to stay in the dark.
Season 7 Co-Host
Victoria Cheng is our youngest season co-host to date and she comes to us, currently, from the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area. She moved between urban, rural, and suburban communities in Pennsylvania, Illinois, North Carolina, and Mongolia.
She writes: “I come from a line of resilient and adaptive humans. I was raised on simple sandwiches, steamed rice, Capri-Sun, boxed mac and cheese with hot dogs, Pittsburgh public schools reduced price lunch, Chinese grocery red bean buns, and annual steamed lobster birthday gifts from my YeYe and NaiNai. Community taught me the value of a hand-me down, the gift of waking up alive, and the importance of sharing resources and personal stories.
There is much to learn and unlearn. Thank you Jesus Christ for keeping me alive to see how many stories unfold. At the very least, I should stick around to climb more trees and sing more songs. At the most, I imperfectly bear witness to humanity and seek God’s goodness in the land of the living.”
Season 5 Co-Hosts
George Xiong, MA, LPC, NCC, is currently working as a mental health counselor with Hopeful Therapy in Vernon Hills, Illinois. George is a 2nd-gen Hmong American, and draws from his own work and experience of dealing with generational trauma and racial identity formation. He is a co-founder of the Yexus Communitas Podcast, which seeks to be a catalyst for the Hmong American Church in the areas of Theology, Identity, and Mission.
Hannah Lee is a therapist at Hanaro Therapy in California. She is passionate about journeying alongside people as they pursue healing, clarity, and empowerment. Her specialties include working through issues of anxiety, depression, PTSD, cultural/racial identity, intergenerational trauma, and interracial/crosscultural relationships.
Leah Abraham (she/her) is a writer, storyteller, award-winning journalist, and editor-in-chief of SheLoves Magazine. She grew up in India and relocated to the U.S. in her teens. She currently lives in Southwest Virginia with her husband and two cats. Her life’s calling is to be the best cat mom ever and to decolonize the world around her. You can follow her on Instagram or Twitter @leahabraham9.
Season 4 Co-Host
Helen Choi is Korean Canadian. Helen Choi works as a dynamic, empathetic and experienced fundraiser. She is also a leading public relations consultant to nonprofits, public sector organizations and socially conscious driven for-profit enterprises. She is a strong advocate for compassion, generosity and thoughtful investment in causes related to vulnerable women and children. Learn more about her at iamhelenchoi.com.
Season 3 Co-Host
Nancy Ly is a 2nd generation Chinese/Vietnamese American. She is a graduate of Cal Berkeley where she studied Psychology and Education. She has a vast range of experiences in the community and nonprofit arenas, corporate HR, entrepreneurial leadership, and church ministry. Her greatest desire is to see people step into their full potential to make an impact and difference in the world. She has travelled to nearly 25 countries and is in process of becoming an Internationally Certified English Language Instructor and is also in process of writing a book to help bridge the Asian and American experiences and identity.
Nancy Ly is now working as a Cultural and Performance Coach, specializing in therapy-coaching for clients who identify as BIPOC, biracial, bicultural & multicultural. Connect with Nancy on Instagram instagram.com/befreewithnancyly.
Season 2 Co-Host
Maylee Chang works as a qualified Licensed Professional Counselor with Family Revelations in Minnesota. She graduated from Northwestern College and Wheaton College Graduate School. In addition to English, she speaks Hmong and Thai languages.
Season 1 Co-Host
Eunice Lee grew up on the East Coast and came to Los Angeles 10 years ago to work in non-profit for Asian-Americans youth. Since then, she has worked with undocumented women in domestic violent relationships and children who have experienced abuse. She has seen how shame can take us hostage and keep us from emotional and relational freedom. As a parent, she hope this dialogue of erasing shame will give her son more freedom, empathy and connection. Eunice work as a therapist in LA, specializing in bi-cultural and cross-cultural individual and family issues. Website: euniceleetherapy.com
Episodes and Articles
Top Articles about Asian Americans and Mental Health
Browse our timeline for the latest episodes and articles posted by the Erasing Shame team.
Past Workshops & Webinars
Why and How Honest Conversations are Erasing Shame – workshop during the 2nd annual Mental Health Conference, Cal State Fullerton (March 9, 2019)
Grow Your Grassroots (Webinar): Asian-American Communities & Mental Health – NAMI California Webinar – July 30, 2019