Podcast Title: Add to Cart with Kulap Vilaysack & SuChin Pak
Episode: Jenny Yang’s Rest is Resistance. You Step Up.
Release Date: May 20, 2025
Hosts: Kulap Vilaysack & SuChin Pak
Guest: Jenny Yang

Introduction and Welcome (02:00 - 05:00)

In this episode of Add to Cart, hosts Kulap Vilaysack and SuChin Pak warmly welcome special guest Jenny Yang. The conversation begins with heartfelt acknowledgments of Asian American Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian Heritage Month, celebrating the rich diversity within the community.

Kulap Vilaysack (02:00):
"Welcome to another episode of Add to Cart. It's the podcast where we discuss what we buy and buy into you and what it says about who we are."

Life Updates and Personal Growth (05:00 - 10:00)

Jenny shares significant updates about her life, focusing on her journey of creating her own work and navigating the uncertainties of Hollywood. She touches upon the challenges freelancers face and the volatility within the entertainment industry.

Jenny Yang (05:20):
"Oh, goodness. Just, you know, out here, making my own work, making my own downtown. My way downtown."

Susie Park (07:14):
"Seeing them squirm. And paddle under the water rapidly while trying to still keep their sweaters cool. It's kind of been fun."

Launching Her Podcast: "What Should We Talk About" (08:56 - 11:10)

Jenny excitedly introduces her new podcast, “What Should We Talk About,” which aims to process current events and personal experiences through candid conversations. She discusses the format, including guest appearances and listener-submitted topics.

Jenny Yang (08:56):
"It's called what should we talk about with Jenny Yang? And I have one to two guests every week and we all suggest topics and then I curate the agenda."

The Importance of Self-Care and Rest (11:10 - 27:40)

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around self-care, rest, and the concept of "Rest is Resistance." Jenny emphasizes the necessity of rest in today’s fast-paced world, especially for those who are constantly overachieving.

Jenny Yang (27:01):
"Rest is resistance. Especially for people who've been doing too much already."

Jenny Yang (27:04):
"Rest is resistance can be taken too far. All I can control is my life and what I can, my sphere of influence."

The hosts delve into personal anecdotes about managing stress, the role of technology in self-care, and the societal pressures to always be productive. Jenny candidly expresses her struggles with overachievement and the steps she's taking to prioritize rest.

Susie Park (10:14):
"But for me, doing this podcast, besides the billions of dollars I've made from it is the processing for someone like me who doesn't like to process."

Activism and DEI Backlash (40:44 - 45:35)

The conversation shifts to the backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Jenny articulates her frustration with the performative aspects of DEI and the corporate reluctance to genuinely embrace diversity.

Jenny Yang (40:44):
"Anti DEI backlash. It is so annoying... How do you reject us when you barely wanted us?"

Jenny Yang (44:46):
"We cannot pray at the altar of representation only... how we're treated isn't just by putting our faces in a commercial."

She critiques the superficial implementation of DEI, highlighting how corporations like Target exploited diversity for profit without fostering genuine inclusivity.

Susie Park (43:42):
"That's what is so wild."

Building Community and Sustainable Practices (45:35 - 47:36)

Jenny emphasizes the importance of grassroots activism and building sustainable, community-driven initiatives to create meaningful change. She advocates for reducing reliance on large corporations and fostering self-sufficiency through practices like bartering and supporting local businesses.

Jenny Yang (46:34):
"For the longest time I never went to like a Ralph's or a Vons... we grew up going to the Latino Supermarket or the 99 Ranch or like the Vietnamese small grocery store."

Promotion of Jenny's Podcast and Closing Remarks (47:36 - 49:31)

As the episode nears its end, Jenny promotes her podcast, inviting listeners to subscribe and engage with her content on various platforms. The hosts express their support and appreciation for Jenny's candidness and commitment to creating impactful conversations.

Kulap Vilaysack (48:31):
"Jenny, thank you again for returning. You're the best. You're the absolute best."

Jenny Yang (47:36):
"You can follow me on Instagram or on TikTok at JennyYangTV, go to jennyyang.substack.com and that will be where you will be able to watch video of my podcast or listen to it."

Notable Quotes

• Jenny Yang (27:01):
  "Rest is resistance. Especially for people who've been doing too much already."

• Jenny Yang (40:44):
  "Anti DEI backlash. It is so annoying... How do you reject us when you barely wanted us?"

• Jenny Yang (46:34):
  "We grew up going to the Latino Supermarket or the 99 Ranch or like the Vietnamese small grocery store."

• Jenny Yang (47:36):
  "You can follow me on Instagram or on TikTok at JennyYangTV, go to jennyyang.substack.com and that will be where you will be able to watch video of my podcast or listen to it."

Conclusion

In this episode, Add to Cart offers a deep dive into Jenny Yang's personal and professional journey, highlighting themes of self-care, activism, and the critique of performative diversity. Through honest and revealing conversations, the hosts and their guest explore the complexities of balancing personal growth with societal expectations, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own "carts" of investments and values.