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The Hafu It

Arts & Culture Podcasts

The Hafu It is an independently produced podcast, hosted by Kiyoko Sugimoto (she/her) and Sakura Yoshida (she/her). It is a weekly series where the women discuss different topics in an unscripted manner. Topics range from the Japanese Canadian experience to what’s Hapa-ning in current affairs and pop culture, all through the lens of two hafu millennials.

Location:

Canada

Description:

The Hafu It is an independently produced podcast, hosted by Kiyoko Sugimoto (she/her) and Sakura Yoshida (she/her). It is a weekly series where the women discuss different topics in an unscripted manner. Topics range from the Japanese Canadian experience to what’s Hapa-ning in current affairs and pop culture, all through the lens of two hafu millennials.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Ep. 27 - Allyship

7/25/2022
Happy Pride Season everyone! This month, things get heavy talking about LGBTQIA+ allyship. What is an ally and what does that mean to a cis gendered heterosexual woman versus a trans woman in the queer community? Tune in to this EXTRA LONG episode to hear stories about how the media represents the LGBTQIA+ community, and our stories wading through the sea of ignorance that is sadly still prominent in our society today!

Duration:01:38:11

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Ep. 26 - Mixed Skincare

6/27/2022
Last season we talked Mixed Hair! We figured it was only fair we touch upon that mixed skin, henny. From Saku's experience dealing with cyctic acne to Kiyoko's Proactive mishaps, there's a little something here for everyone! How did growing up mixed effect YOUR skin care routine? Tune in every month for a new episode of season 2 of the Hafu it.

Duration:01:20:10

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Ep. 25 - Shitsureishimasu!

5/30/2022
久しぶり! Hold onto your wigs! We're back with another episode. Your favourite hafu's are back, recording on opposite sides of the pacific. Tune in for Japan updates, Sakura's current plans, and the future of this podcast! It's a real mess, but we're glad to sit down with you again.

Duration:01:07:40

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Ep. 24 - Appudēto

8/11/2021
It's been a while! We wanted to pop in for a short catch-up to update you all on what's been going on with us, where we're going, and what that means for season 2 of the Hafu It! Tune in to kiki with your favourite Hafu's!

Duration:00:54:03

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VJLS-JH x Hafu It Ep. 4 - Rokusei?

5/26/2021
*This week's episode contains mature content including mention of Japanese Canadian Incarceration, and dispossession as well as abuse. Please proceed with caution* This is it! Our Season 1/series finale. Thank you all for joining us thus far! Make sure you follow us so that you know when we will be returning! This week, we're talking about the future of our community. The Rokusei. 6th gen! With the loss of our culture embedded so deeply in our community, it's up to us and future generations to make sure that we persevere, and keep the culture alive! Let's get into it. We recommend not diving in too deeply if topics of redress and historical wrongs within our community are triggering for you. Please see the warning at the beginning of the episode for specific time frames. All love .

Duration:00:47:26

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VJLS-JH x Hafu It Ep. 3 - Being Japanese Canadian

5/19/2021
*This weeks episode contains mature content including mention of Japanese Canaidan Incarceration, and dispossession. Please proceed with caution* Welcome to Episode 3 of our collab with VJLS-JH! Being 3rd and 4th generations, it's difficult to link our Canadian identities with our Japanese heritage. Misinformation, intergenerational shame, and a laissez-faire attitude goes a long way in contributing to the imposter syndrome we all feel! This week, we're talking about what being Japanese Canadian meant to us growing up, versus what it means to us now. Tune in to hear us discuss traditions that were passed on to us, and ones that we adopted on our own as well as how they tie us to our community. Make sure you don't miss out on our series/Season 1 FINALE next Wednesday at 10am PDT!

Duration:00:44:55

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VJLS-JH x Hafu It Ep. 2 - A Homemade Pilgrimmage

5/12/2021
This episode contains sensitive topics including mention of Japanese Canadian Incarceration and Intergenerational Trauma. Please listen with caution. Sending lots of hugs <3 This is it - the series title episode! A Homemade Pilgrimmage is exactly how it sounds. Tune in this week as Kiyoko and Sakura narrate what they both know about their family history, where that information came from, and what lengths they both have had to take to fill in the gaps! Get ready to hear some helpful resources to get you started on your research journey. Bring the tissues and get ready for a surprising demonstration of Kiyoko's' resources that unearth family history Sakura has NEVER heard of or seen before. Ya girls pulled out ALL the stops for episode 2 of our VJLS-JH collaboration for Asian History Month.

Duration:01:02:34

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VJLS-JH x Hafu It Ep. 1 - Our Issei

5/5/2021
Alright, alright, alright! Welcome to the 1st of 4 episodes for the VJLS-JH x Hafu It series for AAPI History Month! This week, ya girls are talking about our issei. Tune in for stories spanning 4 generations, in which Kiyoko and Sakura compare what was passed on to them, versus what they had to find out on their own! To see our beautiful faces, be sure to check out the video version of this episode on our YouTube channel!

Duration:00:49:49

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Ep. 19 - Kintsugi

4/28/2021
Golden veins, weaving their way across old, inherited, or even antique and highly valuable ceramics, Kintsugi serves a long-standing history with the Japanese value of preservation. This week, we're talking about the importance of respecting your possessions! Let's get into it. Make sure you tune in next week for our first episode in a 4-part series as part of the ExplorASIAN festival 2021 in celebration of Asian History month!

Duration:00:44:35

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Ep. 18 - Maid Culture

4/21/2021
This week, Sakura is taking on the form of an unearthly voice while we discuss maid culture! Join us on this spectral discussion spanning from historical maikos to where maids stand today in Japanese culture and all of the fetishizing that comes with that.

Duration:00:50:27

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Ep. 17 - Manga

4/14/2021
M-ah-nga or M-á-nga? Tune in this week to hear our thoughts, as well as our nostalgic list of old faves from our earliest manga readings! It's not just a phase after all, ma! Content Warning: This episode contains some mention of self-harm, thoughts of suicide, and sex. Please proceed with caution.

Duration:00:50:11

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Ep. 16 - AniBAE

4/7/2021
*The content of this episode may contain explicit content. Listener's ears have been advised* This week, we're talking about our AniBAE's! Our Anime crushes. The ones you'd NEVER have admitted to your friends growing up - how would they understand? Well, hide no more! Your hafu gals are here with all the support you need. Join us for our first ever ~steamy~ episode of the Hafu It.

Duration:00:56:19

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Ep. 15 - Mixed Hair

3/31/2021
Kinky - but not the kinky you're thinking of! Knotted, coarse, wild! If there's one thing that the biracial/mixed community can agree upon, it's the struggles of taking care of mixed hair! This week we're talking about our hair experiences, and what we have learned so far! Let's get into it.

Duration:00:58:41

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Ep 14 - Inked

3/24/2021
It's no secret that tattoos are considered to be a bit taboo in Japanese culture. We wanted to dive in a bit deeper into that history and contrast it with our own experiences being inked! Let's get into it. **Slight content warning for a brief mention of Japanese dispossession and internment**

Duration:01:01:59

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Ep. 13 - Karaoke

3/17/2021
You're 15, and you're in the local karaoke place in a private room with your friends. You've got your lip smackers on, and you've finished hydrating with the policy-mandated ginger ale you ordered for yourself. It's your turn at the mic. You grab hold, wind the cord around your wrist, and hug the mic close to your body. The melody to Leona Lewis' Bleeding Love starts to filter through the speakers. You've got this. It's time to show those other losers what practicing in your bedroom for the last 7 days was all about. They won't even see it coming. LET'S GO!

Duration:00:57:46

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Ep. 12 - Wom❤️n

3/10/2021
It's the 39th annual Women's History Month! Help us ring it in hafu-style. This week, it's women's appreciation Wednesday (WAW) and we're sounding off on our favourite women in the world right now including some more well-known entities as well as some queer icons, and local Canadian artists! Don't miss out on a chance to help us celebrate these wondrous women.

Duration:00:49:14

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Ep. 11 - Senbei

3/3/2021
Crunchy, crispy, arare coated rice crackers. You know the ones - the unparalleled flavour that has you coming back for more every. damn. time. And maybe leaves your breath smelling a little funky?? That's right. This week we're talking about Senbei.

Duration:00:49:25

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Ep. 10 - Sanrio

2/24/2021
Today, the Hafu It Celebrates its 10th episode! Join us in this milestone. This week, we're talking about Sanrio! You know the beloved classic characters, but what about the truly obscure? We've got the perfect test for all Sanrio stans out there for how to know if you're a Millenial or Gen Z.

Duration:00:49:58

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Ep. 9 - Origami

2/17/2021
When we say paper crane, you say......?? This week we're talking about origami! The art of paper folding has been around for a long time! Religion, ceremonies, and even protection have been some of the uses of origami in the thousand some-what years since its invention. Tune in to hear about origami book nooks, origami blown glass, and how a string of paper cranes can bring a family together.

Duration:00:52:36

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Ep. 8 - Ramen

2/10/2021
Did your Oba-san call Ichiban just "Sapporo" and confuse your understanding of what ramen really was growing up too? Brilliant. This week we're talking about ramen! Tune in to hear about some differences between ramen in Vancouver vs. ramen in Japan! And some insider tips on long line-ups at food establishments..

Duration:00:50:51