🎙️ Banana Lab is where Kiwi-Asians unpack identity, mental health, and life’s weird in-betweens. Hosted by Romy Lee, a mental health professional & advocate, this podcast blends real talk, humor, and deep convos with guests who have lived it. 🍌 🔊 Listen for unfiltered stories, cultural struggles, and conversations that hit home.
Banana Lab
Claim This Podcastby Romy Lee, Alex Kim
15 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇳🇿
Podcast Overview
🎙️ Banana Lab is where Kiwi-Asians unpack identity, mental health, and life’s weird in-betweens. Hosted by Romy Lee, a mental health professional & advocate, this podcast blends real talk, humor, and deep convos with guests who have lived it. 🍌 🔊 Listen for unfiltered stories, cultural struggles, and conversations that hit home.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/6/2025
1 verified contact email on file for Banana Lab
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Recent Episodes
June 22, 2026
Ep.15 — Jin Kim: Pharmacy, YouTube and Finding Balance
<p>Jin Kim joins us on Banana Lab to share his journey from moving to New Zealand as a child to becoming a pharmacist, content creator and traveller.</p><p><br></p><p>We talk about growing up Korean in New Zealand, arriving without speaking English, boarding school life, and how a conversation with a maths tutor led him into pharmacy.</p><p><br></p><p>Jin also reflects on discovering YouTube during COVID, documenting life through vlogs, and why he decided to spend 14 months living in Korea to experience both the good and the bad sides of a country he still considers home.</p><p><br></p><p>Along the way, we dive into solo travel across Asia and Europe, life in Seoul, cultural differences between Korea and New Zealand, and how the experience changed the way he approaches life.</p><p><br></p><p>Topics include:</p><p><br></p><p>• Growing up Korean in New Zealand<br> • Community pharmacy and healthcare<br> • Content creation and YouTube<br> • Living in Korea for 14 months<br> • Solo travel and bucket-list destinations<br> • Identity and belonging between two countries<br> • Korea vs New Zealand lifestyle and culture</p><p><br></p><p>A warm and funny conversation about career, creativity, travel and what it means to feel connected to more than one place.</p>
June 8, 2026
Ep.14 — Ashley Bautista: Growing Up Filipino in New Zealand
<p>Ashley joins us on Banana Lab to share her experience growing up Filipino in New Zealand and finding her own identity between cultures.</p><p><br></p><p>Born in the Philippines and raised in Hamilton, Ashley reflects on moving to Auckland for university, transitioning into full-time work, and navigating the pressures of hustle culture and adulthood.</p><p><br></p><p>We talk about reconnecting with her Filipino roots, the challenges of balancing cultures, and how her family’s sacrifices and work ethic have shaped the way she approaches life today.</p><p><br></p><p>The conversation also touches on community, faith, food, favourite spots around Auckland, and the importance of slowing down, resting well, and learning to embrace who you are.</p><p><br></p><p>Warm, thoughtful, and full of relatable young adult moments, this episode is a conversation about identity, growth, belonging, and what it means to feel at home in yourself.</p><p><br></p><p>Topics include:</p><p><br></p><p>• Growing up Filipino in New Zealand<br> • Hamilton vs Auckland life<br> • Transitioning from university into the workforce<br> • Hustle culture and work-life balance<br> • Faith, family and community<br> • Reconnecting with Filipino identity<br> • Food, culture and finding belonging</p>
May 25, 2026
Ep.13 — Inna Goodwin: Identity, Travel and Building a Life in New Zealand
<p>In this episode of Banana Lab, we’re joined by Inna Goodwin.</p><p><br></p><p>Inna shares her journey from the Philippines to New Zealand, reflecting on immigration challenges, identity, career pivots and finding belonging.</p><p><br></p><p>We also discuss life as a Filipino woman in construction, queer identity, travel, and the realities of building a life in a new country.</p><p><br></p><p>A warm and honest conversation about resilience, community and home.</p>
15 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Banana Lab?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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