Shoes Off

Shoes Off

Jay Ooi

Winner of Smartest Podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards 2021 - this is the written, produced and edited podcast made by and for Asian Australians, because we don’t talk about race and culture enough. We’ll dive into topics where you’ll hear from a range of voices, and we'll bring you stories and thoughts from interesting Aussie Asians, academics and everyday folk so we can question, explore and celebrate what it means to be an Asian in Australia. https://www.shoesoff.net/ https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/ https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 6: Cockatoo Homeland

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 6: Cockatoo Homeland

Welcome home. With a Labor victory at the 2022 federal election, we join the family as they return home to Biloela. It’s a teary, frantic, and joyous reunion for them, but what does this mean for other families like the Nadeslinagams? Is Labor’s election win the victory that people think it is?In this episode we explore what our government is still doing to not have to accept asylum seekers into our country, what made this family and this campaign so special, as well as what’s next for the famil

Jul 7, 2023 • 56:25

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 5: The Ballad of the Ballots

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 5: The Ballad of the Ballots

Everything is riding on the 2022 federal election. The LNP have held firm that the Nadesalingams would not be returning to Biloela, and no special visa would be granted to them, but the Labor Party has made an election promise to return them to Biloela if they are elected. How did this one family become an election talking point in 2022? We find out if four years of campaigning to bring this family back to Biloela is actually changing the way people vote. And we join the campaign team as th

Jun 30, 2023 • 56:12

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 4: A Private Affair

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 4: A Private Affair

Another deportation attempt is made, but this time, more people are following their story. Supporters drop what they are doing and dash to the airport to help. Campaigners jump the fence and get arrested. Nevertheless, the family are separated and forced onto a plane. But an urgent injunction is granted mid-flight, and forces the plane to land in Darwin. Rather than fly them back to Melbourne detention, the Nadesalingams are flown to a detention centre on a remote offshore territory of Australia

Jun 23, 2023 • 55:58

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 3: Track Changes

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 3: Track Changes

Early one Monday morning, having spent three and a half years building their life in Biloela, the Nadesalingams are forcibly removed from their homes, thrown into white vans, and flown to a detention centre in Melbourne. The family are told they can’t get access to a phone unless they sign documents saying they would leave the country. What do they do?Why was their visa application unsuccessful? What information is the government using to assess them? And what else can they do to not be sent bac

Jun 16, 2023 • 56:11

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 2: Bloody Pearl

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 2: Bloody Pearl

It was conventional British colonial policy to look for minorities in colonised territories to use them where possible as the administrative class. Minorities, like the Tamils in Sri Lanka, tended to be more amenable to be used in this fashion because at times this strengthened their position in society. Following Sri Lanka’s independence from the British, the majority Sinhalese ethnic group take power. Racial tensions escalate, erupting in a war in 1983, with government sanctioned troops killin

Jun 9, 2023 • 48:11

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 1: The Birth Lottery

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie Episode 1: The Birth Lottery

Nades says he couldn’t sleep when he arrived on Christmas Island. The beds felt like they were moving just like the boat he arrived on. Priya started to feel scared as other asylum seekers around her were being removed by SERCO guards with their belongings in black garbage bags in the dead of night. Nades, Priya, and their two Australian-born daughters, Kopika and Tharnicaa, commonly referred to as the ‘Biloela family’, became the faces of the rural Aussie community of Biloela, but how did

Jun 9, 2023 • 45:33

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie - Trailer

Shoes Off Presents: You Have Been Told A Lie - Trailer

The Nadesalingam family captured the hearts and minds of people across the world when they were ripped from their regional Australian community of Biloela, but there’s more to this than a heartwarming story. This series will explore the social fabric of Sri Lanka forcing Tamils to flee, the geopolitical and national forces at play when it comes to Australia’s immigration policy, the groundswell movement from their local community and beyond, the treatment and processing of asylum seekers in Aust

May 9, 2023 • 2:48

S04E07 - Minority Report: Searching for Diversity in TV News

S04E07 - Minority Report: Searching for Diversity in TV News

Our trusted newsreaders have always been there, from when Lady Di passed away, to when the world was forever changed on 9/11. But who is telling you the biggest stories of the day? And why is it important that we see representation in TV news?Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pY0JbHApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Jz90txGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cH

Feb 2, 2022 • 40:24

S04E06 - My Mum's Journey to Australia: A Refugee Story

S04E06 - My Mum's Journey to Australia: A Refugee Story

"Just get on with it" seems to be the mentality of a lot of refugee families, so we often don't get to hear their stories. In this episode, one daughter of refugee parents is determined (but a little scared) to share her parents' journey to Australia, and how they built a life here.Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pY0JbHApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Jz90txGoogle Podcasts:

Jan 19, 2022 • 28:44

S04E05 - Go Back to Where You Came From: Safety and Belonging on our Streets

S04E05 - Go Back to Where You Came From: Safety and Belonging on our Streets

Derogatory or alienating racial comments and actions are something most people of colour have experienced in Australia. From "ni hao baby" to being glared at for slurping your pearl milk tea, it's often quite paralysing, and it's hard to know what to do in those situations. So why are these forms of harassment harmful? What does it say about Australian identity? And what can we do about it?Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.inst

Jan 5, 2022 • 40:12

S04E04 - Can't Touch This: Why We Don't Hug our Parents

S04E04 - Can't Touch This: Why We Don't Hug our Parents

Are your parents awkward with hugs? Do you find yourself more comfortable greeting people at a distance, rather than a kiss on the cheek? It's fairly common for a lot of Asian parents to not express their affections physically. Why is this the case? What does it mean for us who grew up in a culture that is more physically affectionate? And what can we learn from each other?Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesof

Dec 22, 2021 • 34:10

S04E03 - Rebecca Lim

S04E03 - Rebecca Lim

Do you remember the books you had to read in school? Did you find yourself constantly having to put yourself in shoes far outside of your experience? Author Rebecca Lim remembers this all too well, and hoped things had changed since her daughter started school. Discovering the literature was much the same, she set out to write what she wished she had as a child.Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/Spotify:

Dec 8, 2021 • 24:08

S04E02 - On the Emasculation of Asian Men

S04E02 - On the Emasculation of Asian Men

Asian men as a group have it kind of rough when it comes to sex and relationships. They're often less desired than most other racial groups, and have been associated with a lot of emasculating stereotypes. How did we get here? How does it affect them? And how are things changing?Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pY0JbHApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Jz90txGoogle Podcasts: ht

Nov 24, 2021 • 45:40

S04E01 - Yellow Fever

S04E01 - Yellow Fever

The fetishisation of Asian females is a concept I think we're all at least aware of. But why is it even a thing? Where have these stereotypes of East Asian women come from? How do they affect East Asian women? And how can we move forward?Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pY0JbHApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Jz90txGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9

Nov 24, 2021 • 34:12

Shoes Off Season 4 Trailer

Shoes Off Season 4 Trailer

Yepp, we're back. It's been another big year, and there's no shortage of exciting things to talk about, so let's get into it.Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pY0JbHApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Jz90txGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2hvZXNvZmYubmV0L2VwaXNvZGVzP2Zvcm1hdD1yc3M=

Nov 14, 2021 • 1:00

S03E08 - Bharatanatyam: Project Caste

S03E08 - Bharatanatyam: Project Caste

Caste discrimination is one of those things that you can only understand if you have lived it. Many South Asians have been on the receiving end of caste discrimination, but similarly, many South Asians in Australia have perpetuated oppressive caste dynamics without even knowing it. In this episode, we explore what Caste is, and the complexities of how it operates in the diaspora through the eyes of a hereditary Bharatanatyam dancer.Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook

Feb 3, 2021 • 44:09

S03E07 - The Running Gag of Race

S03E07 - The Running Gag of Race

Some of our best comedians of colour often use their race as part of their jokes, and stand up comedy has this unique ability to talk about race in a way that’s less confronting than other methods. How does comedy do this? When can this be perhaps unhelpful? And what is the experience of Asian Australian comedians in the scene?Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pY0JbHApple Podc

Jan 27, 2021 • 37:11

S03E06 - More Than Words

S03E06 - More Than Words

A lot of us who grew up here probably didn’t learn our mother tongue properly, and maybe we regret it as an adult. Well today I’m bringing you the story of one person’s journey of learning Chinese again without being forced to by his parents.Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pY0JbHApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Jz90txGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM

Jan 20, 2021 • 21:06

S03E05 - Remixing Identity

S03E05 - Remixing Identity

It’s often talked about how mixed race people are the race of the future. The numbers of mixed race people are growing as our world becomes more globalised, and today I want to explore how their experience can be quite different because they’re mixed race. So what influences how they encounter race? And how does our views of them impact their identity and experience?Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/Spo

Jan 13, 2021 • 43:30

S03E04 - Beyond Cheap & Cheerful: How We’re Selling Asian Cuisine Short

S03E04 - Beyond Cheap & Cheerful: How We’re Selling Asian Cuisine Short

When we think of what good Asian food is, quite a specific image comes to mind. Perhaps a place that is poorly decorated, or where the wait staff just want you to order and get out, or a place with 100 (or more) items on the menu. Or maybe it’s a hole in the wall joint that’s a bit “dirty” but oh, so good. And when it comes to fancier Asian restaurants? Well, apart from Japanese food, we often think, man, I could get that cheaper from elsewhere. Where has this perception of “cheap” Asian food co

Dec 16, 2020 • 45:39

S03E03 - Small Bowls, Big Plates

S03E03 - Small Bowls, Big Plates

Food is so much a part of our lives, and even more so for many Asians. Some are the biggest foodies out there, and although a love for food isn’t uniquely Asian, there are definitely elements of the culture around food, and the way some Asians eat that are pretty unique. This episode is not a cooking show, rather, we explore what is different in the way Chinese cultures, in particular, eat.Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.inst

Dec 9, 2020 • 34:41

S03E02 - Past, Present, Future: How COVID-19 has Affected our International Students

S03E02 - Past, Present, Future: How COVID-19 has Affected our International Students

What does Australia look like without international students? What was once a hypothetical question is now the reality as Australia’s travel ban extends indefinitely due to COVID-19. But beyond statistics and numbers, what does it look like to this significant cohort of people and what does it say about us when the government specifically excludes them from welfare support in the middle of a global crisis? Extending beyond our previous episode, this episode seeks to explore the history of Austra

Dec 2, 2020 • 52:30

S03E01 - Crazy Rich Problematic Faves (and why we still love them)

S03E01 - Crazy Rich Problematic Faves (and why we still love them)

Crazy Rich Asians. This 2018 blockbuster is, in the words of director Jon M Chu, “not a movie. It’s a movement.” So many of us diasporic Asians flocked to cinemas to watch this film. But why was it so important? Why does representation matter, and what is the state of representation on our screens here in Australia? Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pY0JbH Apple Podcasts: h

Nov 25, 2020 • 57:00

Shoes Off Season 3 is on its way

Shoes Off Season 3 is on its way

2020 has been an…interesting year. Race has been at the forefront of a lot of news, discussion, and our own lives. And as Asian Australians there’s never been a better time to learn more about how race, and culture influences our experiences. And hey, Shoes Off season 3 has got your back.Website: https://www.shoesoff.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2pY0JbHApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Jz90txGoogle Pod

Nov 11, 2020 • 1:23

Episode swap: Lemon Podcast - Loyal, Brave & Culturally Inaccurate

Episode swap: Lemon Podcast - Loyal, Brave & Culturally Inaccurate

This week's show is from LEMON with a discussion about Mulan 2020 and COVID social bubbles. If you enjoy this chat, please follow the guys from Lemon:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lemonpodcastshow/Instagram: http://bit.ly/2TPE0dfTwitter: http://bit.ly/2TEpfLaOur Spotify Playlist: https://spoti.fi/2IMmpxJHosted by:Phillip Kuoch: https://bit.ly/PhilsIGThomas Tan Tan: http://bit.ly/2TU4QCkSupport their show http://supporter.acast.com/lemonSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informati

Sep 23, 2020 • 39:09

Episode swap: Rock The Boat - 55 | CRA Screenwriter: Adele Lim

Episode swap: Rock The Boat - 55 | CRA Screenwriter: Adele Lim

This week I’m bringing you an episode from another podcast, Rock the Boat. In this episode, host Lucia Liu sits down with screenwriter of Crazy Rich Asians, Adele Lim, for a hilarious conversation uncovering Adele’s experience working on Crazy Rich Asians, the difference between working in television and feature film, her parents' reaction to her pursuing a career in writing, and then her parents' reaction after watching Crazy Rich Asians. During the conversation, Adele also opens up about her d

Sep 16, 2020 • 49:46

Season 2 Recap-isode

Season 2 Recap-isode

In this next in-between-isode, we reflect on how COVID-19 and BLM has impacted how we talk about racism and representation whilst we reflect on our favourite episodes of season 2. Plus, we talk about what's coming up for the next season.https://www.shoesoff.net/https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/

Sep 9, 2020 • 28:57

Season 1 Recap-isode

Season 1 Recap-isode

For this in-between-isode, we swap roles and I get interviewed about how the show started, what the process for making episodes is, and we look back at some of our favourite eps from Season 1. It’s less formal and it’s not scripted (for a change!)https://www.shoesoff.net/https://www.facebook.com/ShoesOffAu/https://www.instagram.com/shoesoffau/

Aug 5, 2020 • 29:09

S02E08 - Making the mix work (at work)

S02E08 - Making the mix work (at work)

Diversity and Inclusion - it seems to be a hot topic in many workplaces, and rightly so. Australia is a very diverse country and we’re seeing more higher educated people of colour joining the professional workforce. So what exactly is it, and why is it important?

Jul 1, 2020 • 36:39

S02E07 - License to Save

S02E07 - License to Save

When we think about Asians in Australian history, we might think miners, indentured labourers, perhaps furniture makers. But doctors? Well there's an interesting history here too, and in this episode, we'll take a look at the story of a few of them, and what their legacy is.

Jun 24, 2020 • 23:10

S02E06 - Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting

S02E06 - Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting

When we say the words Kung Fu, something very specific comes to mind. Probably some Chinese guy, maybe in a crane stance, busting out some stylish punches and kicks to take down a bunch of enemies in succession whilst making weird noises. And whilst there might be some truth to that when it comes to some Chinese martial arts, there’s certainly a lot more to it.

Jun 17, 2020 • 24:44

S02E05 - Australia's not-so-secret cash cow

S02E05 - Australia's not-so-secret cash cow

Those of us who went to university in Australia probably had encounters with international students, and we probably have opinions about them. They stick together, their English is terrible, they don’t understand the assignment given, I do not want to be in a group project with them. But we probably never said these things out loud to them, or each other. So let’s dig into it.

Jun 10, 2020 • 30:46

S02E04 - Yeo

S02E04 - Yeo

Today I’m bringing you the story of an Asian Australian musician and producer who goes by Yeo. The Australian music scene isn't known for being particularly diverse, so we chat the good, the bad and the ugly of being a minority in the industry.

Jun 3, 2020 • 25:43

S02E03 - The after-school school

S02E03 - The after-school school

Tutoring. A lot of us have been there, after school at a desk, doing more work so we can get better grades. But what sort of tutoring should we be getting, and when is too early to start?

May 27, 2020 • 26:13

S02E02 - Saving face and the secrets it hides

S02E02 - Saving face and the secrets it hides

Saving face is something a lot of us Asians are very familiar with it, even if we don’t quite know how to put it in words. From fighting over the bill to politely deflecting compliments, it shows up far more than we think. But what else does face hide and cover over?

May 20, 2020 • 24:27

S02E01 - COVID-19 and Australia's history of racism

S02E01 - COVID-19 and Australia's history of racism

We’ve seen reports, videos, and maybe you’ve had your own experience of racism during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s something that a lot of Asians are dealing with at the moment, and today, I want to explore the roots of this racism in Australia.

May 13, 2020 • 36:40

We're back (season 2 trailer)

We're back (season 2 trailer)

Hey culture fanatics, boot up your phone, get on your wifi and plug in your headphones because Shoes Off is back.

May 3, 2020 • 1:16

S01E08 - What is Asia?

S01E08 - What is Asia?

What is Asia? No, really, have you ever thought about it? It’s a continent right? But, I mean, is it? Where is the clear physical border between Europe and Asia? The answer of course, is, there is none - it’s really one big continent that is Eurasia. So back to the original question: what is Asia? Where did this divide come from, and what does it mean for us today?

Nov 5, 2019 • 30:33

S01E07 - Trust me, I'm a doctor

S01E07 - Trust me, I'm a doctor

Doctors. They’re one of the most respected professions in Asian culture, but where did this prestige come from? And what’s it actually like in the profession?

Oct 29, 2019 • 19:16

S01E06 - String Nguyen

S01E06 - String Nguyen

Today I’m bringing you a conversation with one of LinkedIn's top voices Suzanne “String” Nguyen on fighting those invisible walls and finding your voice.

Oct 23, 2019 • 18:10

S01E05 - No Rice, No Spice

S01E05 - No Rice, No Spice

Preference. It’s the word people use to describe the sorts of people they’re attracted to. How does race play a role in sexual attraction amongst gay men? And what does it really mean to have a preference for one race over another?

Oct 15, 2019 • 30:24

S01E04 - Eye of the Tiger

S01E04 - Eye of the Tiger

Tiger mums have been spoken about a lot in the media, the overbearing, controlling mother who wants straight A’s and musical prodigies. In this episode we’ll speak to a couple of kids of tiger mums, how it affected their life, and what they think of it now. And we’ll also talk to a tiger mum herself.

Oct 8, 2019 • 21:18

S01E03 - Diana Nguyen

S01E03 - Diana Nguyen

A daughter of refugee parents from Vietnam, Diana sort of fell out and then back into celebrating her culture and heritage, and ended up creating a web series about her mum. In this episode, we explore what it's like growing up as the daughter of a single refugee mum, and why remembering our heritage so important.

Oct 1, 2019 • 23:09

S01E02 - Bobalicious

S01E02 - Bobalicious

From just a couple of tea shops in Taiwan to a multi billion dollar industry. How did this seemingly simple drink become a worldwide phenomenon? And why do Asians have such an affinity to it? In this episode we explore the craze that is bubble tea.

Sep 24, 2019 • 15:46

S01E01 - Say My Name, Say My Name

S01E01 - Say My Name, Say My Name

What’s in a name? Particularly in Australia, having a distinctly foreign name has its positives and negatives, and I’ve always had this inkling that there’s a different way we think about names in Australia compared to Chinese culture in particular, but I could never quite put my finger on it. This episode we explore how this difference in names affects us.

Sep 24, 2019 • 27:08

Trailer - Welcome to Shoes Off

Trailer - Welcome to Shoes Off

Have you ever tried to hide parts of your culture or heritage in order to fit in?Have you ever felt like a bit of an outsider in the country you grew up in?Do you often just have a laugh about some of the weird things your parents say?Do I have a show for you.Shoes Off is a new podcast that features stories about Asian Australian culture. Each episode we’ll look at a topic or issue or just a cool person, exploring what it’s like to be Asian in Australia.Subscribe to get this cultural goodness in

Sep 2, 2019 • 1:47

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