1. EachPod

206: Fetishized With Kaila Yu

Author
Meredyth Willits
Published
Fri 05 Sep 2025
Episode Link
https://www.meredythwillits.com/

In this episode, Kaila Yu, author, journalist, and cultural commentator, joins me to talk about her book Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty—and the bigger story of how media, culture, and the male gaze shape identity, desire, and safety. It’s an honest, nuanced conversation about Asian American representation, yellow fever, consent, and what real self-love looks like in a world of shifting beauty standards.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Representation that actually represents — from the days of Memoirs of a Geisha and The Joy Luck Club to K-pop, Squid Game, and multi-dimensional Asian identities.

  • Why Kyla wrote the book — pandemic-era racism, Stop Asian Hate, the Atlanta spa shootings, and the layers of race + gender the media often misses.

  • Male gaze vs. authenticity — algorithms, clicks, “going sexy for reach,” and how creators protect agency without losing themselves.

  • “Exotic,” preference, or fetish? — the red flags (behavioral expectations, disposability) and a practical way to tell attraction from objectification.

  • Model minority myth & soft power — how pop culture (K-pop, film, national branding) reshapes global perception—including the desirability of Asian men.

  • From microaggressions to harm — why “jokes,” accents, and caricatures aren’t harmless; how othering escalates to real-world violence.

  • Learning > canceling — honest dialogue, calling-in over calling-out, and the language shifts that actually move culture forward.

  • Media literacy in the AI age — slowing down, checking sources, and choosing what you let program your mind.

 

This episode is for anyone interested in feminism, Asian American advocacy, media literacy, consent culture, and healing from cultural and personal programming. It’s thoughtful, vulnerable, and packed with takeaways you can use in your conversations—and in how you see yourself. Tune in now!

— 00:00 – Introducing Kaila Yu 04:20 – Family, Culture, and Identity 07:00 – The Spark for "Fetishized" 10:00 – Stereotypes, the Male Gaze, and Self-Image 15:00 – Navigating Success, Empowerment, and Regret 20:00 – The "Acceptable Race" and Model Minority Myth 25:00 – Healing, Self-Love, and Therapy 30:00 – Beauty Standards and Social Programming 35:00 – Generational Change and Hope 40:00 – Soft Power, Media Influence, and Cultural Shifts 45:00 – Cancel Culture, Learning, and Growth 50:00 – Final Reflections & Takeaways —

Ready to dive even deeper? I’m handing you the keys to the castle! If you loved this episode and want more, don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss out! Let’s stay connected—find me on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

🔗  Connect with Kaila Yu:

 

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