Eleanor Lisney (Thoe Chooi Wah) writer and cultural leader, embarks on a journey exploring identity. In Between Nasi Goreng and Fried Rice podcast, Eleanor interviews guests who share her East and South-East Asian identity about food, culture, disability and more. And explores the question of how we adapt and negotiate when are from the East by heritage but adopted by Western Cultures.
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Leaving Mainland China
In Conversation with Shan
Shan came to the UK from China over 20 years ago. We discussed the unique journeys of mainland Chinese immigrants compared to those from Hong Kong and other regions.
We explored the diverse cultural landscape of Coventry, language barriers and cultural adjustments. Plus the voluntary work she does helping Chinese immigrants with employment, and interpreting for a law firm.
We touched on the cultural richness of China and the limitations of accessibility in certain regions. We also talked about the Confucius Institute and its impact on cultural exchange despite controversies.
There is an increased openness of China to the world, making it easier for people to travel and study abroad. The impact of technology has made the world smaller and more accessible and financial and educational opportunities have attracted younger generations to study in the UK.
Catch up with all episodes of Between Nasi Goreng and Fried Rice on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube
The “Model Minority” and Cultural Identity
In conversation with James Lee
James and I first met at the House of Commons during a campaign to ratify the Istanbul Convention. Since then James’ career has taken him from being a trustee at Muscular Dystrophy UK, City Bridge Trust to his current role as director at Publica, an urban design practice.
We delved into the intersectionality of race and disability, noting the rise in violence against East and Southeast Asians during COVID-19. We discussed the complexities of addressing racism, disablism, and economic inequality in London and other cities.
James shared his experiences as a parent discussing racism with his children and the challenges of accessibility within his community. We also reflected on the privileges and challenges of living in London, highlighting economic disparities and the impact of classism.
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What stories are silenced when history paints over the living?
In conversation with Khairani Barokka
In this week’s episode of Between Nasi Goreng and Fried Rice I was delighted to talk to the multi-hyphenate and award winning artist and author Khairani Barokka. We discussed how she first came to the UK, her book, Annah, Infinite, published by Tilted Axis Press in September and why she wrote it
Okka is a writer, artist, arts consultant, translator and editor from Jakarta. Her work has been presented widely internationally, and centres disability justice as anticolonial praxis, environmental justice, and access as translation.
‘Annah, Infinite is a luminous act of reclamation. It’s a text that dares to ask what lies behind a portrait, what stories are silenced when history paints over the living. Anton Hur, author of Toward Eternity and 2025 International Booker Prize judge called it, ‘A profoundly disturbing, intriguing, and illuminating work—Khairani Barokka is so precise and empathetic that the reader aches with phantom pain.’ You canpurchase a copy here.
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Filipinos on the Frontlines
In conversation with James Olabre
James is the Operations and Development Manager at Transport for London. We were both directors at EVR (End Violence and Racism Against ESEA Communities) now rebranded as Sesame.
Over the years we have met at events but never quite managed to have a proper chat. I wanted to know more about him as a friend, and his life as a Filipino in the UK.
In this episode we spoke about food, Filipino karaoke and how we navigate living in London as part of the ESEA community.
This week our conversation felt even more poignant because of Apple, an NHS worker who was assaulted and racially abused in Manor Heath Park, Halifax.
Apple is a NHS nurse from the Philippines with 15 years of service. She was racially abused and assaulted while walking with her family on 28th August.
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Staying Authentic in the Arts
In Conversation with Jasmine Thien
Jasmine is a fully blind, Bruneian born Chinese actor, writer, spoken word artist and stand up comedian. Her work explores intersectionality, ableism, culture and trauma in ways that are authentic while remaining accessible to all.
She has written a semi autobiographical play called I Dream in Colour. She will be performing at the Omnibus Theatre 22nd/ 23rd July and at the Edinburgh Fringe.
We first met though a mutual friend and subsequently realised we were neighbours! After listening to her podcast on Disability Arts Online about her intersectional out she is from Brunei, I knew she had to come on the show.
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Crossing Continents
In conversation with Dr. Ahneez Abdul Hameed
Dr. Ahneez Abdul Hameed is a Malaysian medical doctor specialising in clinical microbiology.
By day, Ahneez is unraveling the mysteries of microbes, and by evening—or on her days outside the hospital—she is a cafe-hopping, globe-trotting foodie with a love for pretty skies, lush gardens, vibrant flowers, Michael Jackson’s timeless beats, the magic of musicals, and the purr-fect company of cats.
We caught up recently when Ahneez came here to do some exchange work. I asked her to make some time to do a podcast with me, and she graciously agreed.
It was wonderful to hear about her professional life in Malaysia as a medical doctor since I had no idea of the work she does there.
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The Personal is Political
In conversation with Pierre Tran
This week, I sat down with Pierre Tran. Pierre is a Paris based reporter who has worked for specialist websites, newspapers, international news agencies, and magazines, covering corporate news, politics, and financial markets.
Pierre and I first met in 2023 at the National Union of Journalists Delegates Meeting in London. We had lunch together with other union members, and since then, I’ve followed his reporting.
When I was last in Paris, we met up, and I got him to agree to record an episode of Between Nasi Goreng and Fried Rice. I know nothing about defence and weapons, so when he came to London for this year’s NUJ delegates meeting, it seemed like the perfect opportunity!
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Craving Something Real
In conversation with Anthony Leung
I first met Anthony Leung when I was hotdesking at the Design district. Anthony is the founder of Mean Write Hook, a media and marketing company with vision. He moved from Hong Kong to Canada and then to London.
In our conversation, he talks about the impact living in such different places has had on him – he feels as much Canadian as he does being from Hong Kong. We also talked about cultural influences from food to music to sport. We talked about his work, what he does and future plans.
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‘Returning home’ as Malaysians
In conversation with David Kam
David and Eleanor discuss the concept of ‘balik kampung’ – ‘returning home’ as Malaysians. What does that mean and how does being queer or disabled affect that choice?
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From Vietnam to England
In conversation with *Lin, a trainee acupuncturist
*Lin’s decision to study acupuncture for the next stage of her life and her journey up until now highlights that there are many East and South East Asian disapora who have stories just like this. However we seldom get a chance to meet or encounter their stories.
Today’s episode was an opportunity to delve into that – her leaving Vietnam as part of the boat people in her mother’s stomach. Moving from Hong Kong to the UK, and to the U.S. Coming back to London as a single mother. It was not easy,
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Balancing ESEA motherhood with a career
In conversation with Bonnie Chui
Bonnie is a Forbes Senior Contributor writing on gender and diversity, and has been invited to speak in over 18 countries and by corporates about social entrepreneurship and social impact.
In today’s podcast, we discuss being a mother in an intercultural and multicural context. I ve been in a similar position but I was a full time mum while she also runs a business.
Considering she is also the Founder of Lensational, an award-winning social enterprise which provides storytelling and photography training to marginalised women and girls in 23 countries and platforms to sell their work how does she balance the two roles?
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A Hero Born
In conversation with Daniel York Loh
Daniel York Loh is a phenomenon in the cultural scene – as an actor, writer, playwright and director. He is also an activist.
In this podcast we discussed his works and his philosophy and our interest in Wuxia (Chinese martial) films plus novelist and co-founder of Ming Pao, Jin Yong’s work.
We also discussed being ESEA and mixed race, intersectionality being disabled and representation. How do these all work in film and media?
Do successful actors such as Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheong represent us? We also talked about the films, A Touch of Zen, Hidden Dragon, Crouching Tiger and Chinese dramas, including Nirvana in Fire1m.
Daniel’s reading of A Hero Born: Legends of the Condor Heroes, Volume I is available to listen to on Audible.
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What makes inclusive and universal design?
In conversation with Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Naziaty (Naz) and I first met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia when I was there on a family visit. I’ve always admired her work as a disabled activist and her work as a lecturer. She fights for accessibility and access.
In this podcast we talk about her work, her passion and her life. We also discuss the intersection of being disabled and Malaysian and her work with inclusive and universal design and accessibility.
We discussed the difference in access and legislation in London and Kuala Lumpur. Plus disabled activism in Malaysia and the importance of mental health when getting older.
Go here to learn more about Naziaty’s work and listen to her podcast Talk Architecture. This episode was recorded in Kuala Lumpur.
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Who are the Global ESEA diaspora?
In conversation with Eric Wu
Eric Wu is a Master of Public Health student at Imperial College London. He is a registered dietitian and award-winning Community Organiser and Leader who takes pride in being able to help and support the wider community. He has worked with BAME communities across the UK.
I first met Eric during the production of a performance we did at Moongate Mix in 2023. Moongate Mix is a regular salon series at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham. Artists in Residence, Moongate Productions, who champion ESEA artists whilst challenging stereotypes produce and program the series.
The ‘Angry Asian Anonymous’ salon was comprised of four people. We begun with a mock type list of “how to be the perfect Asian child”, making fun of the cultural expectations of what Asian cultures and the media envision the perfect Asian child to be.
The second part of the piece is a telling of three different stories and backgrounds of how we deal with the outside world judging and making assumptions about us based on their expectations of our identities. For example, loyalty or putting our identities into neat boxes.
The last part pulled together the first two pieces into a “Angry Asians Anonymous” help group. Essentially saying to us that the microaggressions which we face are still impactful to us, and that we are allowed to be angry, to be loud, to stand up for ourselves despite what they tell us about being the perfect Asian child.
In short, the work plays with the themes of identity, anger, and stereotypes.
It was a blast and this first podcast with Eric encapsulates a great deal of why I wanted to produce this podcast. It’s to have a conversation about our East and South East Asian identities. The influences that impact us by having this heritage. We come from a diaspora that spans the globe. In Eric’s case, from the US to Singapore to London.
Connect with Eric on Linkedin here.
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A BIG thank you to Osian Clifford who did all the editing – it wouldn’t be the same without them
And to Ash Johnston (@bbsway) who composed the theme music.
I’m grateful!