Work
Writing
“I Cherish My Grief for the Mother I Never Expected to Have,” New York Times, 2022
“Long Live the King — King Eggroll, Anyway,” Joysauce, 2022
“I Tackled My Climate Anxiety By Becoming a Parks Department Super Steward, One Weed At A Time,” Curbed, 2021
“Have Yourself a Lonely Little Christmas,” New York Times, 2020
“Guess I Gotta Write This Goddamn Diversity Article Again,” Transom, 2020
“My PTSD Can Feel Like a Weight. But In This Pandemic, It Feels Like a Superpower.” Vox, 2020
“Crazy Rich Asians Isn’t About Money, It’s About Entitlement. And That’s a Good Thing.” Vox, 2018
"Diversify Your Workplace. There Are No Excuses," Transom, 2015
Selected Audio
Don’t Worry, Be Happy - Snap Judgment
Mimi Nguyen’s mother, Thanh, has always been super anxious. She obsessively calls Mimi at all hours and is always worried they’re in danger. This paranoia really put a strain on their relationship, until Mimi heard Thanh talking in her sleep one night. And Mimi realized… maybe there were long-hidden family secrets that might explain Thanh’s behavior.
Therapy Ghostbusters - Invisibilia
In San Jose, California, a community clinic was stumped as to why their clients were seeing ghosts. A story about grappling with ghosts of our past and one clinic's attempt to heal intergenerational trauma.
WINNER of the Carol Mattingly Award for Mental Health Reporting, from the National Press Foundation
Erring Like A Sailor - This American Life
The Navy’s Seventh Fleet has seen a string of collisions and accidents, killing 17 sailors in 2017. Producer Stephanie Foo learned about a part of Navy life that investigators say played a role in these accidents.
Rosie’s Paradox- This American Life
One night Rosie’s father, busy working, told Rosie, then 9, to stop distracting him with her questions. She should write them all down, he said. Rosie returned with about 50 of the most fundamental human questions. Three years later, her father is still answering them.
The Fever - Reply All
Suzanne was in love with her kind, sensitive boyfriend. Until she learned that he had several other girlfriends. Girlfriends who were all just like her in one very disturbing way.
The Favorite - This American Life
Growing up, producer Stephanie Foo was the favorite child of her family in Malaysia. Particularly of the matriarch of the family who everyone called "Auntie." But as an adult, Stephanie found out the complicated truth about why she was the family favorite.
I Am the Eggplant - This American Life
Nasubi, a Japanese comedian who, in the 90s, just wanted a little bit of fame. So he was thrilled when he won an opportunity to have his own segment on a Japanese reality TV show. Until he found out the premise: he had to sit in an empty apartment with no food, clothes or contact with the outside world, enter sweepstakes from magazines… and hope that he won enough sustenance to survive.
Morning Program - Pilot
What if we covered Christmas like we do other “ethnic” holidays?
Project Leadership
Editor, Season 4, WNYC’s Nancy
Editor, Season 2, KCRW’s Bodies
Audio Director for California Sunday’s 2018 Photo Issue
I frequently produced full shows for This American Life—which meant I managed staff, found stories to fill the show, designed its overall message, and edited each story. A sampling:
“The Room of Requirement,” This American Life, 2018
“Who You Gonna Call?” This American Life, 2017
“We Are In the Future,” This American Life, 2017
“Ask A Grown Up,” This American Life, 2017
Video
I Love You - This American Life
Maia has been with her boyfriend for 8 years, but they’ve never said “I love you.” We try to help her do it in the grandest way possible.
Produced with m ss ng p eces and This American Life. Directed by Bianca Giaever. Co-produced by Stephanie Foo and Jonathan Figueroa. Animation by Jordan Bruner. Was nominated for three 2016 Daytime Emmys. Won Daytime Emmy for "Best Directing, Special Class."