We’re joined by Jason Om, an award winning reporter with the ABC’s 7.30 program. Jason has recently released his first memoir, All Mixed Up: a powerful story about growing up as a gay Asian-Australian, uncovering his family history and finding resilience.
In this episode, we talk to Jason about his professional career in journalism, working with the SBS and ABC, how he’s paved the way for other Asian-Australian journalists, the 16-year struggle for acceptance with his Cambodian father and how he’s navigated his experience around being a gay Asian-Australian.
00:00 - Intro
01:36 - How Jason’s Parents Met
03:56 - Jason’s Upbringing
07:21 - Jason on Navigating Identity & The Relationship With His Cousins
09:55 - Uncovering Parent’s History & Rekindling with His Half-Sister
14:35 - Using the Memoir to Understand Jason’s Childhood Upbringing
16:27 - How Jason’s Love for Journalism Began
19:38 - Getting Into Journalism as a Profession
22:54 - Working for SBS and ABC
30:23 - Paving the Way for Asian-Australian Journalists
32:17 - Advocating Asian-LGTBQI Stories
34:35 - Jason’s Dad
39:46 - Being Accepted By the Family
41:54 - Jason’s Current Relationship with His Dad
43:22 - Being Gay & Asian-Australian
46:51 - Advice for Asian-Australians Navigating their Sexuality
53:24 - The Future of Journalism
59:13 - Advice for Asian-Australians Wanting to Get Into Journalism
01:04:15 - What Jason Hopes People Take Away from Reading His Memoir
01:05:17 - Outro
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