Hibiku Kotoba

Documentary film director, producer, and editor Nisha Balaram joins Kathleen on Hibiku Kotoba as they talk about Nisha's beginnings as an environmental reporter and how Nisha made a career pivot into visual media and founding her own production company, Mystery Squid Films. Premiering her most recent documentary film, "Meals That Made Us" at the 44th Annual CAAMFest, the film showcases the unique Asian diaspora of the Bay Area, their food culture and the reminder that food brings us together. In the film also shares a beautiful segment on J-Sei's Nutrition Program Chef, Yuji Ishikata and his story with food and community. Kathleen and Nisha talk about the film's conception and process, and what Nisha found gratifying about the topic and what's next for her.

You can follow "Meals That Made Us" on @mealsthatmadeusfilm and Nisha's production company @mysterysquidfilms to see her other fabulous work.

Listen and subscribe to Hibiku Kotoba on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and J-Sei's YouTube Channel!

What is Hibiku Kotoba?

Hibiku Kotoba is a brand new podcast series we are launching this Fall! With a new podcast we hope to outreach through a new medium to an ever growing community. When translated, Hibiku Kotoba means “Resonating Words” and we hope that this podcast will reach you, family and friends and spark conversations that will bring ideas and people together from all backgrounds.

Kathleen Wong – a former J-Sei staff – will be the host and producer of the show. She will be interviewing local AANHPI leaders, creatives, innovators and more, and will cover topics from art to health and culture to advocacy. Along the way, she hopes to gain insights and perspective from the people she interviews and share new things along the way. Join us on this brand new adventure!

J-Sei is a Japanese-American, multi-generational and multi-cultural organization with its roots in Nikkei values and culture located in the East Bay. Visit the website: https://j-sei.org/