Podcasting About Nothing with Lee Uehara

Mixed Asian Media - June 22, 2023

By Naturally MonaLisa

Despite the rise of TikTok and other social media platforms, podcasts are still relevant today. Unlike videos and reels, podcasts allow listeners to listen to their favorite topics at any time without staring at a screen with their tired eyes. With that said, I’m very excited to interview Lee Uehara, the co-founder of the Asian American Podcasters Association (AAP) and the voice behind the podcast House of Lee NYC.

You co-founded the Asian American Podcasters Association (AAP) in February 2019. What prompted you to establish this organization?

The Asian American Podcasters Association was created to fill a gap. There were no groups, networks, or support circles that catered to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the podcasting space. I saw a gap and I wanted to fill it. That’s how it started.

There were collectives out there where AAPI podcasters would meet up informally, but those were not established organizations. AAP is a recognized nonprofit organization in the state of New York. Also, before AAP was established there were only for-profit organizations for podcasters. Everybody wanted to monetize their show or make money as a podcaster. That’s fine, but that’s not what I wanted to do. I specifically wanted to establish a nonprofit organization.

You also have your own podcast called the House of Lee NYC. Tell me more about your podcast. What kind of topics do you focus on?

My show is about nothing! It’s about random tips for life, DIY hacks, resources to make life easier, and keeping it real. I cover anything that is a practical tip for life. My favorite episode is episode 39, in which I talk about how to spread cold butter on toast without ripping the toast. When I figured it out, it was life-changing! I even called the butter association to see if they had the same tip for customers.

Tell me about your background and culture. How has your mixed background influenced your podcasting work?

I'm half-Japanese. My father was Japanese, and my mother is white Protestant. I think my background has affected my work in the most basic way. It affects the way I do things and think about things. For instance, because of my Japanese culture, I take my shoes off when I enter the house, and I use a rice cooker. In terms of my podcasting work, I would infuse these cultural traditions into my episodes.

What makes podcasting a unique yet effective medium? In other words, what attracts people to podcasts for news, learning, or entertainment?

Podcasts are portable, and you can listen to them whenever you want. Depending on the podcast listening app, you can play podcasts at any speed you want. You can play a podcast at one-and-a-half speed, two times speed, and even three times speed. I liken podcasting to a giant library. If you want to know more about a topic, somebody has probably created a show on that topic, and you can find the topic in the podcast directory of your choice. It’s amazing!

For the people out there who want to launch their own podcast, what's the best platform to launch a podcast and what are essential equipment to have for a podcast?

The best platform is the one you can afford, and the best equipment is the equipment you can afford at the time that you start your podcast. You could always upgrade your platform and equipment later. However, you do get what you pay for. If you use a platform that is free, you will get a basic level of service. If you pay $5 per month for a basic plan, you may get more bells and whistles compared to the free plan. You should also use a platform that is viable and is not at risk of going out of business any time soon. If the platform goes away, then that will affect your podcast. In a nutshell, I recommend using a reputable platform that you can afford.

I would check out Podbean. That’s a great place to start because they offer a free plan, and they charge for higher tier plans, so that shows they won’t run out of business. I must say, full disclosure, Podbean has previously sponsored AAP. Blubrry and Spreaker have also sponsored us. Those are our preferred companies because they chose to support AAPI podcasters.

In terms of equipment, no matter what level you are at with podcasting, you should get a cardioid dynamic microphone. Do not use a condenser microphone! A cardioid dynamic microphone picks up the sound that's very close to you. It does a very good job of blocking, eliminating, or minimizing ambient sound around you. Whereas a condenser microphone picks up everything around you, which is not suitable for podcasting. Radio stations have high-end cardioid dynamic microphones which cost around $400. But you can purchase a cheaper version for your podcast for $30 or $60.

You established the annual Golden Crane Podcast Awards. How can a podcaster be considered for an award?

We have opened submissions for the third annual Golden Crane Podcast Awards! If a podcaster wants to be considered for an award, you must fill out the submission form on our website. There is an entry fee because it costs money to produce the awards show. But since we are a nonprofit we aren’t trying to gouge anyone or charge a large amount for the entrance fee. We just need the money to cover the cost of the event.

If you want your podcast to be considered for a Golden Crane Podcast Award, your show must be listed with Apple Podcasts. It has to be open and free to the public, and not behind any walls such as Spotify. 

Another criterion to be considered for an award is that your podcast must be current. It doesn’t matter when you created the podcast. You must have a current episode that was produced within the past month. For instance, if we open submissions in the month of June, you must have produced an episode in May.

You can learn about AAP by visiting their website at aapodcasters.org. You can also learn more about Lee and her podcast at houseofleenyc.com, and you can follow her @houseofleenyc on Instagram and Twitter.