Welcome to United By Rice—the Podcast! At United By Rice, we celebrate the power of storytelling and the voices that bring our culture to life. As an online magazine dedicated to uplifting AANHPI talent in film, television and other mediums, we shine a spotlight on the creators, actors, and narratives reshaping the industry.
Co-hosted by actress Junko Goda and TV/Film critic and interviewer Ben Lei
S2E11 | The TIFF Episode - What AAPI Projects Were We Excited About?
Better late than never? No guests this week but instead, Ben takes us behind the scenes of the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), sharing his experiences covering one of the world's biggest film festivals and breaking down some of the Asian and Asian American films that caught his attention.
From "Whatcha Want" and "Bedford Park" to the BLACKPINK documentary "Always Lalisa," Ben discusses his favorite screenings, surprising discoveries, and the films worth keeping on your radar. He also explores the animated shorts "The Violinist" and "In Waves," along with other notable TIFF projects featuring Asian American talent, including "The Surgeon," "Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother," and "Josephine."
Beyond the films, Ben shares what it's really like covering TIFF, from navigating packed screening schedules and chaotic red carpets to securing interviews and discovering emerging filmmakers. It's a look at the festival through an Asian American lens, celebrating the stories, performances, and creative voices making their mark on cinema.
23 Sept 2026
S2E10 | Brittany Ishibashi Discusses Her Role on the New Buddy Show "Brothers" Starring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey
Brittany Ishibashi joins United by Rice to talk about her role as Joy in the new Apple TV series “Brothers,” starring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey.
Ishibashi takes us inside the unusual premise of the series, inspired by the real-life rumor that Harrelson and McConaughey might actually be brothers, and shares what it was like stepping onto a set built around their decades-long friendship. She talks about the improvisation that comes with working alongside the two actors, what surprised her about them away from their larger-than-life public personas, and why she describes Harrelson as “the most present person you will ever meet.”
The conversation also gets personal as Ishibashi reflects on her own path through Hollywood, from the roles available to Asian American actors when she began her career to the opportunities she sees today. She discusses auditioning for Joy, the significance of being part of a major series without her ethnicity defining the character, and why the changes she has witnessed in representation have felt “life affirming.”
It’s a candid conversation about craft, identity, longevity, and finding your place in an industry that has changed considerably during Ishibashi’s career.
8 Sept 2026
S2E09 | Alfred Hsing Takes Us Inside “The Odyssey” and the World of “Avatar”
Actor, stunt performer, martial artist and filmmaker Alfred Hsing joins Ben Lei and Junko Goda on “United By Rice” to talk about a career that has taken him from martial arts competitions to some of Hollywood’s most ambitious productions.
Alfred takes us behind the scenes of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” sharing what he observed about Nolan’s filmmaking process, the extraordinary scale of the production, working with IMAX cameras and the commitment to realism on set.
He also discusses his work in animation, including “The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender” and “Avatar: Seven Havens,” and explains why designing action for animation can be an even more layered process than live action.
Along the way, Alfred reflects on his unconventional path through Hollywood, the importance of patience and persistence, his experiences at San Diego Comic Con, and why authenticity and intentional casting matter as Asian representation continues to evolve.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
4.6 / 5
11 ratings
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