Stretching from Australia to Aotearoa (NZ), the Served With Rice (SWR) brings together three Asian voices to explore what it means to write from the margins – and to do so with joy, curiosity and unapologetic honesty. Hosted by authors Jackie Lee Morrison, Emma Pei Yin and Jacquie Pham ( yes! all awesome Asian women), this podcast will make audiences ponder and feel inspired to write, read, cook and eat!
In order to understand the motives and intentions behind the SWR podcast, it is important to know the origin story. Working on a podcast is a lot of work as it requires time to prepare topics, questions and later it is the editing process that takes up a lot of time. To dedicate yourself and time to doing a podcast is all about passion, determination and of course dedication to the purpose of the podcast.
As the primary founder of SWR podcast, Emma discussed her motivations behind starting the podcast and how inviting both Jackie and Jacquie ( with the q and the u), made SWR the badass and awesome podcast it has become since launching in late January of 2026.
“The origin story? Thinking back, I remember discussing this podcast idea with Jackie and Jacquie, and I realised that we all had the same goal, which is we want to find a place where we can actually support other PoC writers in an industry that we feel still needs a lot of work, because of how whitewashed it is”, Emma discussed in a recent interview with Being Asian Australian.
“There are many PoC creatives and writers in Australia (even the ones who have truly made it), who have had this conversation about representation and visibility in the conversation repeatedly, but at the same time some of the ones who have made do not share the space, and that makes it difficult for all the PoC newcomers who are trying to take that step”.
This conversation about PoC creatives and writers providing and/or not providing space is one which is murmured in many circles. It is sad as Emma alluded to when a PoC creative or writer becomes successful, more often than not, they will close that space. However, this is not truly their fault because the closing of spaces is due to the lack of spaces and opportunities available.
This is essentially by design in Australia, New Zealand and many other parts of the western world- which keep PoC creatives and writers as tokens and allow them to fight over the little spaces that are given to them. Despite these barriers, PoC creatives and writers have found avenues to dominate and shine. Using social media and other podcast platforms, they are able to seize the day and create their own opportunities.
In saying this, it does mean that there is possibly a saturation of podcasts, vlogs etc on all these platforms created by PoC creatives and writers – this also applies to Asian Australian/diaspora creatives and writers.
“Firstly, I would like to say that there is never enough representation. I don’t believe “saturation” is ever a term that applies to us as Asians and as POCs because when we are visible and creating our own opportunities , we are another voice added to the void”, Jackie expressed.
“Thank god, we are in the void, because if you look at the percentage of Asian Americans, Australians and Kiwis, versus everyone else, we still are a very tiny percentage who are visible and have access to major opportunities. I hope this podcast can add to this void and give more visibility of different PoC cultures, publishers, writers and creatives”.
Emma agreed with what Jackie discussed and added that it only breaks our PoC communities when we see each other as competition.
“I think it’s important to note that we are not here to take away from anyone, because we do not see other PoC creative outlets or media as competition. I guess we see ourselves as more complimentary , and I think if there was something which sets us apart – its the fact that we are eating and talking”.
We are about making the space bigger and those we bring on our podcast, and that really is our main goal”, Emma stated.
Jacquie echoed the points made by both Jackie and Emma but added that SWR is not about competing, but it is about creating a platform of visibility.
“I echo the great points made by both Jackie and Emma, but I also feel that our main goal with SWR is very simple. If we can just inspire one person who listens to our podcast to do something about their own dreams, put themselves out there and put their words to the world- that will be enough. We are not here to compete with anyone, but we are just here to inspire”.
Finally, the conversation with Emma, Jackie and Jacquie delved into what they hope PoC audiences listening to the podcast will get out of it and takeaway after listening to each episode.
Relaxation is the vibe which Emma conveyed, as she wants audiences to be able to kick off their shoes, eat and enjoy the podcast.
“I think what we are sharing on SWR is food, identity, culture and most importantly books. I think what we would like for our audiences to take away is knowing that there is an outlet for them to sit down after a long day, put their feet up and share a meal with like minded people.”
For Jackie, what she hopes people who check out SWR will takeaway is just about loving food and appreciating food from different PoC cultures.
“Haha, I was going to say something very similar to Emma. But I also feel that audiences will see our truth because we are very raw, honest and vulnerable, but we are also very funny. In every episode there is a dish we prepare and we ask our interviewees prepare. We ask our interviewees what they made or are bringing and what is its importance to them and their identity. Then we go into the topics about their books, culture, identity and life. It is really just about having a great time”.
Jacquie echoed sentiments made by Emma, but added that if they can even make a tiny difference to the lives of their audiences then SWR has done its job.
“I hope our future audience or our potential audience can listen to us and see how hilarious and adorable we are- and this is the reason why people should listen to us. The world in its current state is a horrible space to live in at the moment, so if our audiences can listen to our adorable and hilarious perspectives, maybe that will make their day just 1% better”.
Across eight episodes available on YouTube and Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts), Served With Rice (SWR) Season 1 features a pilot episode (available now) and seven in-depth conversations with writers and creatives of colour from both sides of the Tasman, with:
Tigest Girma
Chris Tse
Angie Faye Martin
Natalia Figuera Barrosso
Khadro Mohamed
Jane Yang
Damien Levi (Āporo Press)
You can also find more information about SWR, you can get more information here:
IG/TikTok: @servedwithrice.poddy
YouTube: @servedwithricepoddy
Website: servedwithricepoddy.com
Images provided