You Rice Me Up

Ba Linh Le is the co-founder and Chief Data Officer of Frontline, a startup developing an AI-assisted risk assessment tool to end domestic abuse sooner. Born in Berlin to Vietnamese contract workers, Ba Linh studied Area Studies at Humboldt and Public Policy at the Hertie School. Today, her company’s tool is used by social services across half of Germany. She was recently named to the Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list for the social impact she is making. 

In this episode, we talk about:

• Growing up German-Vietnamese and navigating language, family, and belonging

• Founding Frontline and tackling domestic abuse through tech

• The lessons she has learnt and unlearnt along the way

Xifan Yang is an award-winning German-Chinese journalist and foreign affairs correspondent for Die Zeit, one of Germany’s leading news outlets. Born in China and raised in Germany, Xifan has built a career reporting across borders. She is also the author of Als die Karpfen fliegen lernten (when the carps learnt to fly), where she tells the story of China’s recent history through the lens of her family.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Navigating cultural identity between China and Germany

• Writing about her family and unpacking hidden generational trauma

• Reporting under authoritarian constraints and the challenges of press freedom in China

• How the German media portrays China, and why nuance matters
  

Chunchun Qiu is a German-Chinese entrepreneur and the former co-founder and CEO of Cyclio, a startup dedicated to helping women manage menstrual pain. After nearly three years of building the company, she and her co-founder made the difficult decision to shut it down.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why she started and closed her venture

• How her parents’ sacrifices shaped her ambitions and struggles

• The emotional complexity of sharing career pivots with immigrant parents

• Intergenerational conflict, unspoken expectations, and learning to set boundaries

Mai Anh Nguyen is a Director of Rooms at Mandarin Oriental and has built an inspiring global career within the luxury hotel group. Born in Germany to Vietnamese parents, Mai grew up in Prague and studied in Switzerland. Her career with Mandarin Oriental has taken her around the world—from Prague to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Munich, Kuala Lumpur, and now Dubai.

Tune in to hear:

• Her family’s story from Vietnam to Germany and the Czech Republic 

• What she has learnt from her career with one of the world’s finest hotel groups

• How gratitude and mindfulness have shaped her life and mindset

Kachun To is a Hong Kong-born, German-raised entrepreneur who started his career at McKinsey before launching several ventures. His latest project, Bao Gao Club, is more than just a dumpling business—it’s about sharing real Chinese food and fostering cultural understanding in Germany.

In this episode, we explore:

• How a prestigious scholarship changed his perspective.

• The subtle racism he’s faced in business and everyday life.
• Why he transitioned from corporate life to entrepreneurship.
• How food can be a bridge between cultures and why he wants to redefine Chinese cuisine in Germany.

Kexin Ye is a technology consultant and entrepreneur currently building her startup. Her entrepreneurial journey began early, as she supported her father and younger brother through various jobs and ventures while growing up without a mother. Kex gained international recognition as a participant on The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition, which aired in 2021 and is available on Netflix.

In this episode, we talk about Kex’s experience growing up in Gransee and Berlin, reconnecting with her mother, the origins of her entrepreneurial spirit, and what she learnt participating in The Apprentice: One Championship Edition.

Ronald Metschies is the Project Lead for Promoting Ukraine’s Sustainable Economic Recovery at the GIZ, a prominent German development organisation. After studying Politics and Public Policy in the UK, Germany and Japan, Ron went on to work for the GIZ in Manila, Beijing and now Berlin, advising different government ministries on strategic international projects. Ron grew up in Germany with a German father and a Filipina-Chinese mother. 

Tune in to learn more about Ron’s experiences living in Germany and China as a mixed kid, his thoughts on Western vs Asian parenting styles, and why and how he got into the policy space. We also talked about grief, as Ron’s brother and father passed away quite suddenly, just as he was about to start his studies in the UK. 

Lucy Ha is an award-winning Czech-Vietnamese multimedia journalist at Reuters. She studied history at UCL in London and journalism at Columbia University in New York, and has worked for the BBC, CNN, Bloomberg, and Reuters. Lucy stands out as the first Asian European journalist I have met who produces both visual and written work in English.

Tune in to learn more about Lucy’s life and perspectives as an Asian European international journalist. Get a glimpse into the history of Vietnamese people in the Czech Republic, and hear her advice for aspiring journalists.

Shirley Ly is a self-taught contemporary classical music composer from London with Chinese and Vietnamese heritage. She began composing when she was 15 and her music has been played around a million times across more than a 100 countries around the world, including on radio stations such as BBC. She has produced three albums with around 30 pieces, and is currently working on her fourth, which will be released later this year. 

Ngoc Anh Nguyen, better known as ANOTHER NGUYEN, is a German born Vietnamese musician and former social worker. Growing up in a small town in Saxony, it took Ngoc Anh time to find herself and her voice as a person and artist. Her journey brought her from Germany to Vietnam, the United States, and eventually to Berlin. Today she releases Electropop music as a freelance artist, and empowers others through her music. 

James Song is a British born Chinese founder and figurative artist with a background in product design, business development and venture capital. He is currently based in Berlin, working on a new venture for the creator economy, and selling his art on the side. 

In this episode, we dive into his art - how he got into it, his creative process, goals and views. We also talk about his identity as a British born Chinese and the differences in our upbringings.

Camilla Chu Xu Bjørner, better known as CXCX Chu Chu, is a Danish-Chinese rapper based in Copenhagen. She started her rapping career in Canada, after making it to the country's finals of The Rap of China. 

In this episode, we delve into her journey as an artist, exploring her cultural identity, the story behind her stage name, and the inspiration behind her soulful rap music. We also discuss her creative process, the messages in her recently released songs, and her views on representation in the music industry. 

Wonseok Choi is a Dutch-Korean film director with a decade of experience creating commercials for all kinds of brands. In this episode, we talk about his move into film, parental expectations, Asian representation in film, and his background as a Korean adoptee.

Welcome to You Rice Me Up, a podcast about Asian Europeans from all walks of life. I’m your host Jing, a German born Chinese.

Every month I’m going to invite someone from the Asian-European community to talk about their stories and passions, ranging from their cultural identity, music, food and art to dating, careers, and much more. I’m creating this podcast for anyone who wants to learn more about the stories, lives and perspectives of Asian Europeans - people you don’t necessarily hear a lot about in the media.

Joining me will be guests like a Dutch-Korean film director, a German-Chinese founder, a Danish-Chinese rapper, and a Swedish-Filipino product designer.

Subscribe to find out more about them and others in future episodes.

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