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About the show

Isn’t it strange that in Australia, we saw so many attacks against Chinese-looking people during COVID-19, despite most cases in Australia actually coming from Europe and the US as well as cruise ships, and not China? Or that Asian men are less than half as likely to receive a response on gay dating apps than white men?

Growing up in Australia, I always had this sense that being Asian meant that I was never quite fully Australian, and that I was a little bit of a second-class citizen. But when you grow up somewhere your whole life, you just kind of accept it as normal - I didn't know any better. I shied away from my Asian heritage because being Asian wasn't cool, because being Asian wasn't white.

I want to change that.

My name is Jay, and I am a Malaysian Chinese Asian Australian. It’s time that we celebrated what it means to be Asian in Australia. I want minorities to feel like their experience of Australia isn't just their own, collectively embracing our differences instead of trying to pretend like they don't exist. Let's bring to light the things we often ignore.

Shoes Off is a podcast about Asian Australian culture. Each episode is written, produced and edited, and we'll bring you stories and thoughts from interesting Aussie Asians, academics and everyday folk around a particular topic or issue, and we'll question, explore and celebrate what it means to be an Asian Australian.

For those of us who have lived this experience, the show will be full of moments that make us go, "that's exactly what my mum is like!" and, "yes, I feel like that too!", as well as moments like, “huh, I never realised this was a thing.” And for those of us where these experiences might be a bit foreign, it's an insight into the struggles, intricacies and wonderful things that make up Asian Australian life.

I’ve spent 6 years in broadcast television, working across shows like At the Movies with Margaret and David (ABC), The Amazon of the East (ZDF) and The Set (ABC), But I didn’t see myself in those productions.

I want people like me to feel seen, and in this case, heard. There are many great untold stories, and it’s time that I shared them with you.