076 // A #VeryAsian Janchi Show w/Michelle Li

by KJ Roelke | Published February 8, 2022
Featured image for 076 // A #VeryAsian Janchi Show w/Michelle Li


In this week’s episode of your favorite Korean Adoptee podcast, the Janchi Boys sit down with Michelle Li and talk about a whole bunch of stuff! Michelle shares her adoption story with us, including reuniting with her first family at 18 and interacting with so much of the adoption system from an early age. She also talks about the #VeryAsian movement, the foundation that’s growing out of it, and what’s to come.

Later, Michelle joins us to talk favorite Asian foods – you don’t want to miss this!

// Meet Michelle Li
// Meet Very Asian Foundation
Show Resources
 In this episode we talk about:
  • The 30-second ACA Intro: 0:47
  • It’s Michelle Li!: 11:20
  • Reunion, unexpected: 15:08
  • Navigating shame in Korean culture: 22:16
  • The catalyst for engaging: 31:14
  • Quick detour through Middle America: 31:48
  • Birth mother & adoptive mother meet: 37:29
  • RIP Soo’s: 46:53
  • Experiencing racism in the workplace: 47:28
  • Leading a pan-Asian American movement as an adoptee: 51:51
  • #VeryAsian Foundation: 1:02:28
  • “What should we do?”: 1:10:57
  • Food Talk w/Michelle Li: 1:18:44
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// Support/Follow the Show!
The Janchi Show Quick Bio
We’re three Korean Adoptees spread out around America and each of us are at different stages in life. We’ll talk about the Korean adoptee experience from our perspectives and learn more about our shared culture, usually with food. And it won’t just be the three of us; each week we’ll have other adoptees from all over the world joining us to talk about what makes us similar and what makes us unique. So join the party!
// Meet the Janchi Boys!
Nathan Nowack
Nathan was adopted from Seoul at 5 months old and raised in a small town in Oklahoma by a loving family and non-biological adopted sister.  After college in Colorado he later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a digital media career and eventually started 2 photography companies.  He has a wife and 3 kids and has reconnected with his biological family in 2014.  In 2021, Nathan and his family moved back to Colorado to be closer to family and start a new chapter in their lives.
Connect with Nathan!
Patrick Armstrong
Patrick was adopted from Seoul by a white family in Indiana. He is also the president and co-founder of All Times Are Local, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on helping older foster youth. He attended college at Purdue University in West Lafayette and currently resides in Indianapolis.
Connect with Patrick!
  • Website: http://www.patrickintheworld.me
  • LinkedIn: http://linkedin/in/patrickarmstrong219
  • Instagram: http://instagram.com/patrickintheworld
K.J. Roelke
KJ was adopted from Daegu and raised in Dallas, Texas with his two biological, older siblings and his younger sister, adopted from Russia. After spending a decade in the Midwest for college and career, he and his wife are back in Dallas and living large! He has been on his journey of discovery since 2015 and spends his days populating the internet with content.
Connect with K.J.!
// Listen to/Watch The Janchi Show on all major platforms:
  • Apple: https://janchishow.com/apple
  • Spotify: https://janchishow.com/spotify
  • Youtube: https://janchishow.com/youtube
// Join the Asian Podcast Network:
  • Website: https://asianpodcastnetwork.com/
  • Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/asianpodcastnetwork/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianpodcastnetwork/
// The Janchi Show is produced by Just Like Media:
  • Website: http://www.justlikemedia.com
  • Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/justlikemedia
Executive Producer: Jerry Won
Creative Director: Michelle Nam
Audio & Video Engineer: K.J. Roelke