Diving into some big news
a new job, a podcast launch, and nonstop queer style
ROCK PAPER RADIO is a dispatch for misfits & unlikely optimists by your favorite hapa haole, beet-pickling, public radio nerd. It’s a weekly email newsletter and podcast that shares three curiosities every Thursday - something to hold on to (that’s the ‘rock’), something to read (that’s the ‘paper‘), and something to listen to (you guessed it, that’s the ‘radio’). Themes include but are not limited to: rebel violinists, immortal jellyfish, revolution. Thanks for subscribing and spreading the word. Learn more at RockPaperRadio.com
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Hi, misfit fam. I have so many exciting things to share with all of you! It’s been a wild and disorienting (but clarifying) ride for me over the last year, and because of this misfit dispatch, many of you have been right there along with me through every recalibration. I’m swimming in so much gratitude for our RPR community and for everything that’s coming to fruition right now. Ready??? Let’s dive in.
SOMETHING TO READ
I’ve been sitting on this news for a while, and I am absolutely thrilled to finally be able to share with all of you that starting this Monday, July 11, I will be the Bureau of Fearless Ideas’ new Executive Director!
Shortly after I received the great news, I had a chance to dream big and reflect on the path that’s brought me here with Sherri Gwizdala, the Vice President of BFI’s Board. You can read our interview here: A new fearless leader! Fearless Ideas welcomes Kristin Leong as Executive Director.
BFI is both a storytelling and tutoring program for diverse youth, as well as an indy publishing house that honors young writers as capital-A Authors. BFI was originally called 826 Seattle, and was part of author Dave Eggers’ 826 Valencia national program.
I’ve collaborated with BFI in different capacities over the last few years, and every time I’ve sat with students on their circle rug, or Zoomed in for storytelling workshops, I’ve been struck by the sense that there’s some kind of magic at the heart of BFI’s community.
I could not be more grateful and excited to be joining this mighty team, and to be returning to work that directly supports young people and their families. Like I always say, once a teacher, always a teacher. Here’s to fresh starts and old school values.
SOMETHING TO LISTEN TO
A great thing about getting a dream job and a start date, is that it means a deadline. Since I’m all about clean slates and uncluttered to-do lists, I’ve spent the past few weeks wrapping creative projects I’ve been chipping away at since last fall.
You know what that means—DRUMROLL PLEASE—Odd One In’s launch episode is ready! Thanks to The Slants Foundation and sound design genius Matt Martin of KUOW’s The Wild, Episode 1 is (finally!!) wrapped and our trailer is ready for your ears to get you psyched.
Take a listen to the official 2-minute Odd One In trailer, where you’ll meet misfit Korean American musician on-the-rise, Old Chingu; as well as Seattle’s original hip hop scholar, Dr. Daudi Abe.
I love this show so much and I can’t wait to share it with all of you. Episode 1 will be dropping next month, and there’s a party plan in the works. Make sure you’re subscribed right here to ROCK PAPER RADIO to be in the loop.
SOMETHING TO HOLD ON TO
June may be over, but queer style is forever. Hold on to your fedoras, style icons, because Dapper Q has released their 2022 top 100 most stylish Dapper Qs list (this is not a ranked list, nor is it—oddly—in any kind of logical numerical order?).
Some highlights: Melissa King absolutely killing it in a tuxedo and a bejeweled claw, looking like she’s about to tell you what you’re ordering for dinner. Aaron Rose Philip in a floor-length pink feather skirt with cotton candy hair looking like a some kind of gorgeous Victorian flamingo. And the one-and-only Beth Ditto rocking an embroidered denim jacket and corset, looking calm and fierce like the queen she is.
OKAY, YES, LET’S DO THIS
That’s a wrap on issue 86, friends. Thanks for reading, listening, holding on. And thank you for being on this journey with me! I don’t exactly know what’s next, but I’m excited and ready for all of it.
I’m excited too to share space and celebrate with our RPR crew in real life soon. Stay tuned. Fun things coming next month in August.
See you next Thursday.
K.
Ah! I had no idea that BFI was once 826: I taught food writing workshops for them when I lived in Seattle. Such good people (and so lucky to have you!)