🎙️ Season 3, Episode 13 - Alex Calleja: The Power of Punchlines and Real Talk

In this laugh-out-loud episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we sit down with beloved Filipino comedian Alex Calleja to talk about his journey from writing for TV shows like Usapang Lalaki and Goin' Bulilit to performing on global stages - and now, topping Netflix charts with his hit stand-up special Tamang Panahon (The Right Time).

Alex opens up about his humble beginnings, the role of women in shaping his comedic voice, and why he believes funny is funny - no matter who’s in the crowd. With plenty of laughs and a whole lot of heart, this conversation proves that comedy can connect us all.

Check out Alex’s live shows and tour schedule at:

alexcalleja.com | thecomedycrew.com

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #AlexCalleja #TamangPanahon #NetflixPH #FilipinoComedy #TheComedyCrew #FilipinoVoices #FilipinoExcellence #StandupComedy #FunnyIsFunny #ComedyWithoutBorders #TheLoidaLewisPodcast #LaughOutLoud #Trailblazers #FilipinoHumor #FilipinoStandUpComedy

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 12 - Rajo Laurel: Fashioning Identity, Purpose, and Legacy

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we sit down with the iconic Rajo Laurel, one of the Philippines’ most influential fashion designers, to talk about his journey from childhood sketches to global runways.

Rajo opens up about his inspirations, his training in New York, building the House of Laurel, and his vision for the future of Filipino fashion. Beyond couture, we chat about what a simple day in his life looks like, his longtime partner, and so much more.

Follow Rajo on Instagram: @rajolaurel

Explore his collections: rajolaurel.com

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #RajoLaurel #HouseOfLaurel #FilipinoFashion #AsiaMostInfluential #FashionWithPurpose #DesignForImpact #FilipinoVoices #FilipinoExcellence #LGBTQChampions #SustainableFashion #TheLoidaLewisPodcast #CreativeLegacy #RAJO #Trailblazers #FilipinoPride #CoutureAndCulture

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 11 - BD Wong: Legacy, Identity, and the Power of Visibility

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we sit down with the legendary BD Wong - Tony Award-winning actor, director, activist, and pioneer for Asian American visibility in Hollywood.

From his early days in high school and college theater, to his groundbreaking Broadway debut in M. Butterfly, and iconic roles in Law & Order: SVU, Jurassic Park, Mr. Robot, and more - BD opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped his career. We also talk about his activism, his journey as a writer and director, and why representation matters now more than ever.

💬 “You can’t be what you can’t see.”

💡 An inspiring conversation about purpose, courage, and what it means to build a life that uplifts others.

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #BDWong #AsianAmericanVoices #RepresentationMatters #TonyAwardWinner #LawAndOrderSVU #JurassicPark #MrRobot #AAPIVoices #HollywoodTrailblazer #AAPIExcellence #TheLoidaLewisPodcast #VisibilityMatters #BroadwayLegend #ActivismThroughArt #LegacyAndLeadership

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 10 - Gregory Ho: Investing in a Better World, One Step at a Time

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we sit down with Gregory Ho, founding partner of Spring Mountain Capital, to explore what it really means to make a social impact.

Greg shares how his career began at McKinsey and how he later helped launch Spring Mountain Capital to fund mission-driven ventures. But beyond the boardroom, we also dive into his personal discipline and endurance - like running full marathons well into his 70s - showing that purpose and perseverance truly go hand in hand.

💡 This one will inspire you to think bigger, run farther, and live more intentionally.

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #GregoryHo #SpringMountainCapital #SocialImpact #AAPILeaders #PurposeDriven #MarathonMindset #McKinsey #TheLoidaLewisPodcast #ImpactInvesting #Trailblazers #AAPIVoices #RunWithPurpose

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 9 - Sofronio Vasquez III: From Small-Town Dreamer to The Voice Winner

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we’re joined by Sofronio Vasquez III, the groundbreaking Filipino-American artist who won Season 26 of The Voice, making history as the first Filipino and Asian male to win a major American singing competition.

We talk about his journey - from humble beginnings to standing ovations - and how his voice, mentorship with Michael Bublé, and sheer perseverance brought him to the world stage. He opens up about the people who shaped his path, the emotional moments behind the spotlight, and what’s next.

💬 “Every note I sing carries a piece of my story - the struggle, the gratitude, the dream.”

💡 Warning: this one’s a tearjerker. You might want to have some tissues nearby.

🎤 Don’t miss Sofronio live in NYC!

Sat / Jul 19 / 7:30 PM

The Townhall, New York, NY

🎟️ Tickets are selling fast - reserve your seat now!

https://tinyurl.com/Sofronio-TownHall

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #SofronioVasquez #TheVoiceWinner #FilipinoPride #FilAmVoices #MichaelBuble #FilipinoExcellence #NYCConcert #TownhallNYC #TheLoidaLewisPodcast #SingingChampion #TrailblazingVoices #VoiceSeason26

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 8 - Chef Cris Comerford: Inside the White House Kitchen

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we’re joined by Cris Comerford - the first Asian, first woman, and first Filipina to serve as Executive Chef at the White House, from 2005 to 2024.

She shares stories from nearly two decades of cooking for U.S. presidents, including her final state dinner for the Kenyan delegation - where Barack Obama surprised the kitchen staff with a warm hug and words of praise. We talk about preparing soup, short ribs, and lobster for nearly 200 guests, her humble beginnings as an immigrant chef, how her family shaped her culinary journey, and more.

💬 “Food is not just sustenance - it’s storytelling, diplomacy, and celebration.”

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #CrisComerford #FilipinaChef #WhiteHouseChef #PresidentialMeals #FilipinoExcellence #StateDinners #TheLoidaLewisPodcast #TrailblazingWomen #FilAmVoices

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 7 - Ramona Diaz: Telling Truths Through Film

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we sit down with Ramona Diaz, the acclaimed Filipino-American documentary filmmaker behind Imelda, Motherland, A Thousand Cuts, and her latest, And So It Begins.

She talks about the power of storytelling in holding truth to power, the making of And So It Begins - the Philippines’ official Oscar entry - and why she focuses on character-driven narratives that elevate underrepresented voices.

We also touch on her earlier work, including A Thousand Cuts, and how she balances being a filmmaker, activist, and truth-seeker in a complicated world.

💬 “Stories have the power to disrupt and to heal. That’s why I tell them.”

Learn more about Ramona Diaz:

@cinediaz

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #RamonaDiaz #AndSoItBegins #FilipinoFilmmaker #DocumentaryDirector #FilAmVoices #AThousandCuts #ImeldaFilm #MotherlandDoc #TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🎙️ Season 3, Episode 6 - Sandro Roco: Building Sanzo, the First Asian-Inspired Sparkling Water

In this episode of The Loida Lewis Podcast, we sit down with Sandro Roco, the trailblazing Filipino-American entrepreneur behind Sanzo - the first Asian-inspired sparkling water brand made with real fruit and no added sugar.

Sandro shares how his Filipino heritage, Wall Street background, and a chance trip to H Mart inspired the launch of Sanzo. From lychee to calamansi, he talks about honoring Asian flavors while building a fast-growing beverage brand that’s now stocked at Whole Foods, Target, and even featured on Marvel’s Shang-Chi.

We also explore Sandro’s vision for empowering the AAPI community, the challenges of representation in the beverage industry, and what it means to stay rooted while scaling up.

💬 “Our stories and flavors deserve a seat at the table - and on the shelf.”

Learn more about Sandro Roco and Sanzo:

@drinksanzo | @sandro.roco

drinksanzo.com

Watch or listen now:

📺 YouTube: @theloidalewispodcast

🎧 Spotify: tinyurl.com/TheLoidaLewisPodcast

🍏 Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/apple-TheLoidaLewisPod

📩 Email us your thoughts and reviews: askloidalewis@gmail.com

#LoidaLewis #SandroRoco #DrinkSanzo #FilipinoAmerican #AsianFlavors #Entrepreneurship #AAPIRepresentation #ShangChi #SanzoSparklingWater #TheLoidaLewisPodcast