232: Boba, Books & Belonging with Joanna Ho

Join Tricia Friedman and Joanna Ho in this inspiring conversation about cultural identity, creativity, and the power of food as a storytelling medium. Joanna reflects on her transition from K–12 educator to published author, revealing how intergenerational learning—especially the wisdom exchanged over a cup of boba—fueled her narrative style. We dive deep into her creative process, the challenges of balancing productivity with lived experience, and why embracing life’s full spectrum of emotions is essential for authentic storytelling. If you’re passionate about personal narrative, Asian American culture, or using food as a metaphor for connection, this episode is for you. Learn more about Joanna Ho's latest book: Becoming Boba https://www.joannahowrites.com/books Key Topics & Takeaways: Educator → Author: How Joanna’s teaching background informs her writing practice Cultural Identity: The role of Asian American heritage in shaping personal narrative Food as Story: Why boba becomes a bridge between generations and cultures Bidirectional Learning: Stories of wisdom flowing both up and down the family tree Creative Process: Overcoming productivity myths to live fully and write authentically Self‑Discovery: Defining your identity beyond labels and expectations